Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine studies use very small amounts of radioactive substances, or tracers, to diagnose or treat disease. When tracers are introduced into the body, they emit minute amounts of radiation. A special type of camera, called a scintillation or gamma camera, is used to detect the radiation and produce images which provide information about the anatomy and function of the body part being imaged.
Nuclear medicine tests demonstrate the physiology (function) of the body organ being studied. A particular benefit of a nuclear medicine test is its sensitivity to abnormalities in an organ’s structure or function. Typically, abnormalities can be detected very early in the course of a disease, before the medical problem would be apparent with other procedures
What will I feel during the study?
The injection of a radioactive substance into a vein in your arm is similar to having blood drawn; it may be uncomfortable but you will not feel anything from the radioactive substance itself. You will be positioned next to a special detector, called a gamma camera, which will be placed close to the part of your body being imaged. You will not feel anything during the scan. Side effects or adverse reactions from the radioactive substance are very rare.
How long does the procedure take to complete?
The following are general guidelines for the duration of each type of nuclear medicine procedure:
- Bone Scan: 60 - 90 minutes
- MUGA Scan/Gated Blood Pool: 60 - 90 minutes
- Cardiac Stress Imaging: 90 minutes
- Thyroid Uptake and Scan: 60 minutes (first day), 15 minutes (second day)
- Liver Scan (hemangioma): 60 minutes (first scan), 60 minutes (second scan)
- Liver/Spleen Scan: 60 minutes
- Gallbladder Scan (HIDA): 1 - 2 hours
- Gallium Scan: 15 minutes (first day), 60 minutes (second day) 60 minutes (third day if necessary)
- Renal Scan: 60 minutes
- Renal Scan with Lasix: 60 minutes
- Renal Scan with Captopril: 2 hours
If the type of nuclear medicine procedure for which you are scheduled is not listed here, call your doctor or our nuclear medicine staff for exam duration. Many individual factors may affect the amount of time it takes to complete your type of examination.
Why do I have to wait 2 - 3 hours after my injection for the bone scan?
The waiting period is necessary because the different compounds require different amounts of time to accumulate in the area of your body being studied.
Why do I need to drink plenty of liquid between my injection and the bone scan?
Drinking liquid helps visualize bone by allowing isotope in soft tissue to be "washed out" and then excreted in the urine.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Bring any other radiology or nuclear medicine films/reports related to the reason you are having your nuclear medicine procedure.
Can you use my Groshong catheter to inject the isotope?
A Groshong catheter can be used to administer the radioactive isotope, but the catheter is used as a last resort. The catheter itself absorbs some of the isotope and can obstruct the view of structures during imaging.
Why do some nuclear medicine procedures take three days to complete? Why can’t they be completed in one day?
Depending on the type of tissue to be visualized, absorption and/or excretion of the isotope may take from 24 to 96 hours.
How soon will my doctor get the results/report?
Your examination will be interpreted by a radiologist and the results sent to your doctor usually within 24 hours of your examination.
How safe are nuclear medicine procedures?
Nuclear medicine procedures are very safe. An extremely small amount of radioactive material is injected so radiation exposure is minimal. The radiologist only uses as much radioactive material as is necessary to provide diagnostic information. The benefit of early and accurate diagnosis far outweighs the potential risks of this small quantity of radioactive material.
WRA Nuclear Medicine Center
Washington, DC
Nuclear Medicine – PET/CT Center
2021 K Street,NW
Suite T-120
Washington, DC 20006
202-466-2033
Scheduling Appointments
Washington Radiology provides imaging services for patients upon referral from a physician. Patients are seen by appointment. However, emergencies do occur and we make every attempt to accommodate these cases. To schedule your Nuclear Medicine study at Washington Radiology, please have your physician order and insurance card, and call: (202) 466-2033.
