Introduction
We hope that this information will help you to understand a little more about this procedure. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask the nursing or medical staff. They will be happy to help you.
What is a radioisotope scan?
A radioisotope scan (also known as a nuclear medicine test) uses a small amount of radioactivity to produce pictures on a special camera. The radioactive dose is usually injected into a vein in your hand or arm.
Will I be shut in the scanner?
No. You will be asked to sit or lie in front of the special camera. You will not have to lie in a tunnel, and the Medical Physics Technician or Radiographer is always on hand to help you.
What must I do in preparation?
You will be given full instructions when your appointment is made. It is important that you follow the instructions given in your appointment letter carefully, that way we will get the best possible results.
Unless your appointment letter tells you otherwise, you can eat and drink as normal. However, we would like you to drink plenty of fluids for about two hours before your injection and for the rest of the day. We would also ask you to empty your bladder as often as possible.
If you think you might be pregnant, or if you are breast feeding, please tell us before your appointment (the telephone number is at the end of this leaflet).
What if I am diabetic?
We try to give people with diabetes an appointment time that causes minimum disruption to their normal meals. However, we do not always know if someone is diabetic when we send out their appointment. If you are diabetic and would like to alter your appointment time please contact the X-Ray Department. The telephone number is at the end of this leaflet.
Can I continue with my tablets?
You can continue to take all your tablets or medication as normal. If you have any worries at all please contact your GP.
Can I bring someone with me?
A relative, partner or close friend is welcome to accompany you to your radioisotope scan.
What happens when I arrive?
When you arrive at main reception in the x-ray department, you will be greeted by one of our receptionists. Your personal details, such as your name, address and date of birth will be checked on our computer. If any of the details we have are incorrect please let us know. You will then be asked to take a seat in the waiting area.
You will be collected from the waiting room by the Radiographer or Medical Physics Technician who will carry out the injection and the radioisotope scan.
What is involved?
The radioactive dose is usually injected into a vein in your hand or arm. Sometimes a scalp vein is used for young babies.
You may then be asked to wait before any pictures can be taken using the special camera (although sometimes instant pictures are required). The amount of time you will have to wait depends on the type of scan you are having. It can vary from 15 minutes to 2 hours, but your appointment letter should have advised you of the amount of time you may have to wait. If you are unsure, please don’t hesitate to ask the Radiographer or the Medical Physics Technician in the nuclear medicine room.
When you are ready to have your scan you will be asked to sit or lie in front of the special camera. You will not need to remove any of your clothes for the examination, but you will be asked to remove any metal objects as this may interfere with the scan.
It usually takes up to an hour to take the pictures.
Are there any side effects?
There are no side effects.
Once the test is over you may eat and drink as normal. The procedure will not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
How do I get the results?
You will not be given the results of your radioisotope scan before you go home. Although the pictures are checked before you leave, the Radiologist will need to study them thoroughly before making a report. The report will be sent to the doctor who requested the scan. If you were sent by your GP, then you can make an appointment to see them for the result in about ten days time. If you were sent by a hospital specialist, the results will be sent to them and they will contact you. If you already have an outpatient appointment booked, you should keep this.
What are the risks of radiation?
With modern imaging equipment, the radiation dose given is minimal and there are very strict working practices by which we are legally obliged to abide. The staff working in this department are constantly monitored and checked, as well as the equipment.
Please be assured that we give the lowest radiation dose possible, and you are far more likely to benefit from this scan than suffer any harm. You will only have this scan if the doctor looking after you thinks it will help towards the diagnosis or treatment of your illness. If you are unsure as to why you are having this scan, please discuss it with your doctor.
However, if there is any possibility that you may be pregnant, or if you are breast feeding, please inform the x-ray department before you come for your appointment (see contact details at the end of this leaflet).
Unless the Radiographer or Medical Physics Technician tells you otherwise, some of the radioactivity will remain in your body for a short time afterwards. This radioactivity is quickly passed out of your body in your urine. To reduce the radiation risk to other people you should avoid prolonged contact with them and you should take care to prevent any contact with your urine for 24 hours following the injection. (Adults should avoid continual cuddling with children during this time.)
Radiation dose
|
Typical effective dose (mSv)
|
Equivalent risk in car miles
|
Approximate equivalent of natural background radiation
|
|
Lung 1
|
2,500
|
6 months
|
|
Bone 3.5
|
9,000
|
2 years
|
If you have any questions
Please do not hesitate to ask any questions either before, during or after the examination. You can ask a member of staff or call us on the following numbers:
Appointments queries 01823 342304
Hilite Radiographer 01823 343038
Fax 01823 343907
Please note that our imaging table has a patient weight limit of 180kg. If you know that you weigh more than this it is important that you telephone the Diagnostic Imaging Department. (see telephone number at the top of your referral letter).
Introduction
We hope that this information will help you to understand a little more about this procedure. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask the nursing or medical staff. They will be happy to help you.
What is a radioisotope scan?
A radioisotope scan (also known as a nuclear medicine test) uses a small amount of radioactivity to produce pictures on a special camera. The radioactive dose is usually injected into a vein in your hand or arm.
Will I be shut in the scanner?
No. You will be asked to sit or lie in front of the special camera. You will not have to lie in a tunnel, and the Medical Physics Technician or Radiographer is always on hand to help you.
What must I do in preparation?
You will be given full instructions when your appointment is made. It is important that you follow the instructions given in your appointment letter carefully, that way we will get the best possible results.
Unless your appointment letter tells you otherwise, you can eat and drink as normal. However, we would like you to drink plenty of fluids for about two hours before your injection and for the rest of the day. We would also ask you to empty your bladder as often as possible.
If you think you might be pregnant, or if you are breast feeding, please tell us before your appointment (the telephone number is at the end of this leaflet).
What if I am diabetic?
We try to give people with diabetes an appointment time that causes minimum disruption to their normal meals. However, we do not always know if someone is diabetic when we send out their appointment. If you are diabetic and would like to alter your appointment time please contact the X-Ray Department. The telephone number is at the end of this leaflet.
Can I continue with my tablets?
You can continue to take all your tablets or medication as normal. If you have any worries at all please contact your GP.
Can I bring someone with me?
A relative, partner or close friend is welcome to accompany you to your radioisotope scan.
What happens when I arrive?
When you arrive at main reception in the x-ray department, you will be greeted by one of our receptionists. Your personal details, such as your name, address and date of birth will be checked on our computer. If any of the details we have are incorrect please let us know. You will then be asked to take a seat in the waiting area.
You will be collected from the waiting room by the Radiographer or Medical Physics Technician who will carry out the injection and the radioisotope scan.
What is involved?
The radioactive dose is usually injected into a vein in your hand or arm. Sometimes a scalp vein is used for young babies.
You may then be asked to wait before any pictures can be taken using the special camera (although sometimes instant pictures are required). The amount of time you will have to wait depends on the type of scan you are having. It can vary from 15 minutes to 2 hours, but your appointment letter should have advised you of the amount of time you may have to wait. If you are unsure, please don’t hesitate to ask the Radiographer or the Medical Physics Technician in the nuclear medicine room.
When you are ready to have your scan you will be asked to sit or lie in front of the special camera. You will not need to remove any of your clothes for the examination, but you will be asked to remove any metal objects as this may interfere with the scan.
It usually takes up to an hour to take the pictures.
Are there any side effects?
There are no side effects.
Once the test is over you may eat and drink as normal. The procedure will not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
How do I get the results?
You will not be given the results of your radioisotope scan before you go home. Although the pictures are checked before you leave, the Radiologist will need to study them thoroughly before making a report. The report will be sent to the doctor who requested the scan. If you were sent by your GP, then you can make an appointment to see them for the result in about ten days time. If you were sent by a hospital specialist, the results will be sent to them and they will contact you. If you already have an outpatient appointment booked, you should keep this.
What are the risks of radiation?
With modern imaging equipment, the radiation dose given is minimal and there are very strict working practices by which we are legally obliged to abide. The staff working in this department are constantly monitored and checked, as well as the equipment.
Please be assured that we give the lowest radiation dose possible, and you are far more likely to benefit from this scan than suffer any harm. You will only have this scan if the doctor looking after you thinks it will help towards the diagnosis or treatment of your illness. If you are unsure as to why you are having this scan, please discuss it with your doctor.
However, if there is any possibility that you may be pregnant, or if you are breast feeding, please inform the x-ray department before you come for your appointment (see contact details at the end of this leaflet).
Unless the Radiographer or Medical Physics Technician tells you otherwise, some of the radioactivity will remain in your body for a short time afterwards. This radioactivity is quickly passed out of your body in your urine. To reduce the radiation risk to other people you should avoid prolonged contact with them and you should take care to prevent any contact with your urine for 24 hours following the injection. (Adults should avoid continual cuddling with children during this time.)
Radiation dose
|
Typical effective dose (mSv)
|
Equivalent risk in car miles
|
Approximate equivalent of natural background radiation
|
|
Lung 1
|
2,500
|
6 months
|
|
Bone 3.5
|
9,000
|
2 years
|
If you have any questions
Please do not hesitate to ask any questions either before, during or after the examination. You can ask a member of staff or call us on the following numbers:
Appointments queries 01823 342304
Hilite Radiographer 01823 343038
Fax 01823 343907
Please note that our imaging table has a patient weight limit of 180kg. If you know that you weigh more than this it is important that you telephone the Diagnostic Imaging Department. (see telephone number at the top of your referral letter).