Nuclear Medicine Scan

What is a Nuclear Medicine Scan?

A nuclear medicine scan is a test in which a radioactive tracer is given to patient through injection, inhalation or swallowing.

This tracer will emit gamma ray photons which are detected by a Gamma camera to show both structural and physiological changes in the body. This helps in the early detection and treatment of many diseases.

Is the Nuclear Medicine

Scan safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women and children?

• It is not safe for pregnant women because of the risk of radiation to the foetus.

• For breastfeeding women, avoid breastfeeding for at least 12 hours after the scan (collect and discard the milk during this 12 hours as it may be contaminated with radiation).

Are there any radiation risks, toxicity or side effects from Nuclear Medicine Scan?

• The amount of radiation in a typical Nuclear Medicine Scan is small at 3-6mSv.

• The radioactive substances injected are non-toxic and are excreted from the body within 24 hours.

• Side effects are rare and are usually mild such as nausea and vomiting.

What are the preparations required before the scan?

 Please inform the Physician/ Technologist/Nurse if you have fever, asthma, any infection, drug allergies, pregnant or suspect might be pregnant, breastfeeding and had undergone radiotherapy in the past.

 No special preparation is required for scans involving bone, liver/ spleen, pulmonary and lymphatic systems.

 For Kidney scan – you are required to drink 2 to 3 cups of water 30 to 60 minutes before the scan, to ensure good hydration.

 For Gastro-intestinal (GI) motility study and hepatobiliary study for gall bladder function, you are required to fast for 4 to 6 hours. Also, you should not have done gastroscopy in the past one week for GI motility study.

 For Meckel’s scan and GI bleeding study, you should not have a barium study for the last 5 days.

How is the scan procedure performed?

• You are required to change into a hospital gown.

• Empty your bladder before the study.

• A small amount of radioactive tracer is injected, inhaled or taken orally by the patient. After a period of time, a series of scans is taken by a Gamma camera.

• During the scan, you will be asked to lie on a bed or sit in a chair and to remain still. The camera may move very close to your body to obtain the best quality images.

How long will it take to complete a scan?

• Most scans will normally take about 15 to 45 minutes.

• For some studies (e.g. GI bleeding scan and hepatobiliary bile leak scan), delayed scans up to several hours are needed.

• The time required (prep time) for the radiotracer to reach the organ system varies for different scans, as shown in the table on the next page.

Prep time (after injection)

Immediate

2 to 4 hours

Type of scan

• Thyroid

• Parathyroid

• V/Q (Lung)

• Renal (DTPA and MAG3)

• MUGA

• GI Bleeding

• Meckel’s

• Liver/Spleen

• Hepatobiliary

• GI motility

• Sentinel Lymph Node

• ROLL

• Bone scan

• Renal DMSA scan

What are the precautions to be taken after the scan for the next 24 hours?

• Drink more water than usual after the scan to clear the radiotracers from your body.

• Flush the toilet twice, avoid spills and wash your hands thoroughly to avoid radiation contamination.

• Avoid close contact (< 1 metre) with pregnant women, small children and babies. This is to avoid exposing them to unnecessary radiation.

• You can resume normal activities soon after the scan. You can return to work and can eat as normal.

To note

1. Please be punctual for your appointment and bring along any relevant previous X-ray films and reports.

2. If you are unable to keep the appointment, kindly call 6602 2700 (office hours) to inform us two working days before appointment and request for a new date.

3. Should you be late, a new appointment based on the existing waiting list may be given to you.

4. For foreign workers, please bring along the original work permit and letter of guarantee.

5. We accept payment by cash, NETS, VISA/MasterCard.

Name

Venue

Tower B, Level 2 (B25), Diagnostic Radiology

Appointment Date

Appointment Time

Examination Fee

Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group in the north of Singapore. It comprises Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Community Hospital and community extension, Admiralty Medical Centre. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg