Scan Information: Preparations and
Procedures
Directions for Nursing and Ancillary
Staff.
Scan Information: Preparations and Procedures
Most Nuclear Medicine procedures are non-invasive and require little or no preparation.
For information on the most commonly performed procedures please examine the table below.
The Scan Request form should be completed by the referring doctor. Please phone the receptionist at the chosen SNI practice to arrange an appointment. Please inform the patient of scan time, preparation and a brief outline of the procedure. If you are unsure of the procedure please call the practice and ask to speak to the technologist or physician.All patients will be seen by the Nuclear Medicine Physician of the day. The scan films and report can usually be taken by the patient on the day of the scan. Otherwise, all routine study reports will be posted on the afternoon of the scan for delivery the next day. Urgent phone (or fax) reports can be arranged by ticking the relevant box on the consultation form. A physician will usually be available to discuss results or to notify referring doctors of findings requiring action.
| SCAN | PREPARATION | PROCEDURE |
| BONE SCAN (i) Localised |
Nil Between IV injection and scanning patient to drink 4 cups of fluid. |
IV injection radiotracer, 20
minutes for pictures. Patient waits for 1.5 to 3 hours, then scanned for approx 40 minutes Total time: approx. 3-4 hours. |
| (ii) Whole Body | Nil Between IV injection and scanning patient to drink 4 cups of fluid. |
IV injection radiotracer, 20 minutes for initial blood flow/pool pictures. Patient waits for 1.5 to 3 hours, then is scanned for 1 hour. |
| (Niii) SPECT Study
and/or SPECT CT (Nowra and Bankstown) |
Nil | Dual head cameras at all sites have made SPECT scanning far easier for all concerned. Performed after the bone, gallium or liver scans, if required, adds an extra 45 minutes to scanning time. |
| GALLIUM SCAN | Nil Bowel preparation is no longer required for Gallium scans. i.e. no preparation. |
Patient attends Dept. for IV
injection. Then returns to Dept. for scanning 48 and 72 hours later. Scanning time ½ to 1½ hours. Further delayed scanning may be required if excess bowel seen. 1 week post VI possible. |
| SCAN | PREPARATION | PROCEDURE |
| GATED CARDIAC SCAN | Nil | Patient has IV injection to sensitise RBC's, 20 mins later an IV radiotracer, then scanning time 60 minutes. |
| GASTRIC EMPTYING | Fast for 3 hrs. prior to study | Patient eats meal of scrambled
eggs and orange juice labelled with radiotracers. Scanning time 100 minutes |
| HEPATOBILIARY SCAN | Fast for 3 hrs. prior to study | After IV injection of radiotracer, scanning time is at least 90 minutes with no second part. |
| LIVER/SPLEEN SCAN | Nil | Patient is scanned 20 minutes after IV injection of radiotracer. Scanning time 45 minutes. A SPECT study may be required (see above). |
| LUNG VENTILATION/ PERFUSION STUDY Sometimes called a V/Q scan |
Nil Must have current chest x-ray. |
Scan is in 2 parts 1. Ventilation - scanned for 20 min immediately after inhalation of radioaerosol or Technegas 2. Perfusion - scanned for 15 Min after IV injection of radiotracer |
| MECKEL'S SCAN | Fast for 3 hrs prior to study | After IV injection of radiotracer, scanning time is 1 hour. |
| RENAL DMSA | No Prep. | Initially IV injection of radiotracer. Delay of up to 3 hours. Scanning time on return 45 minutes. |
| RENAL DTPA RENOGRAM | Oral pre-hydration 1 litre extra fluid in the hour before appointment. |
After IV injection of
radiotracer, scanning time approx. 30 minutes followed by post-void and kidney depth
images Total scanning time approx. 60 minutes |
| RENAL DTPA with CAPTOPRIL | Oral pre-hydration 1 litre of extra fluid. All ACE inhibitors to be ceased for 3 days prior to the study (see "Drugs List: Renal"). |
1 hour before test Physician administers Captopril. BHP monitoring every 10 min for 1 hr. After 1 hour renogram performed. IV injection of radiotracer. Scanning time 30 minutes. |
| MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION SCANS- Using Myoview or Sestamibi ONE DAY or TWO DAY protocols may be used. PERSANTIN infusion may be used where physical exercise is not possible (Theophylline based drugs to be stopped only). |
Where possible the Pt. should
stop Beta blockers for 48 hours and Ca. channel. blockers for 24 hrs ( See "Drugs List: Cardiac"). Also, a light breakfast only. Suitable
clothing to be worn for stress test.
Special note: No tea, coffee, chocolate or caffeine containing drinks, such as cola, should be consumed for 24 hours prior to the Stress test. |
ONE DAY-
"Resting" images are taken 15 minutes post IVI they take 45 mins. A stress test
is then performed 1-3 hours later culminating in an injection of the tracer at maximal
stress. "Stress" images are then acquired for approx. 30-40 mins TWO DAY- As for the ONE DAY protocol except that the patients attends for the REST on one day and the STRESS on another. This may be in either sequence. |
| THYROID SCAN AND UPTAKE | No preparation. Cease Thyroxine (Oroxine) 10 days prior to scan Antithyroid drugs OK. |
IV Injection of radiotracer. Wait
20 minutes. Scanning time 10 mins. Total time 30-45 mins. |
| VENOGRAPHY | No preparation. | After IV injection of radiotracer, scanning time approximately 1 hour. |
Directions for Nursing and Ancillary Staff.
The following information has been compiled for hospital inpatients. The information also pertains to patients attending on an outpatient basis.
OTHER INFORMATION
Please print the instructions and Laminate the pages, or request laminated copies from your nearest SNI practice.
NOTE: IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE THAT A PATIENT MAY BE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING, THE SCAN SHOULD NOT PROCEED!
The Scan Request form should be completed by the referring doctor or his resident or registrar. Please phone the receptionist at the chosen SNI practice to arrange an appointment. Please inform the patient of scan time, preparation and a brief outline of the procedure. If you are unsure of the procedure please call the practice and ask to speak to the technologist or physician.All inpatients will be seen by the Nuclear Medicine Physician of the day and the scan films and report OR a fax of the report will be sent to the ward on the same or following day.
A low energy diagnostic radioactive tracer is used in most nuclear medicine procedures. Special precautions are usually unnecessary for diagnostic nuclear medicine patients. Low levels of radioactive contamination may be present in the urine. If you are unsure of the risks or concerned about contamination precautions may be taken when disposing of urine and other bodily fluids.. In other words, simply follow normal infection control procedures. Gloves will protect you from potential contamination. Otherwise, no special treatment is required (unless you are notified by the SNI practice if a therapeutic procedure is carried out). The patient may also use toilet facilities normally.
Breastfeeding should be stopped for up to 24 hours after the test (12 hours for the most common procedures) . The time will depend on the radiopharmaceutical used. The milk should be expressed and discarded. The mother may express some milk in the hours before the study to be kept to feed whilst she is unable to nurse, a formula may also be needed.
All Inpatients must be accompanied by:- (i) The request form (ii) their Inpatient Notes
(iii) relevant X-rays, test results. etc. e.g. current. CXR (<24hr) with all "Lung Scan" patients.
(iv) an escort if required (Note: Patients. requiring any nursing care must have an escort). For some of the procedures the patient may return to the ward between the first and second parts
.Scan Information Leaflets
Available from all practices, please call to have some sent out to you.
For further information call your nearest SNI practice.
Many other procedures are available. Please request information about any scan not listed above when booking.
