Nuclear Medicine Scan Health Article

A nuclear medicine scan uses a special camera to create pictures of your organs (such as your heart, lungs, liver, and gallbladder) and bones. This test uses a small amount of radioactive material and a special camera.

Before Your Scan Appointment

• Be sure to mention the medications you take and ask if it’s okay to take them before your test.

• You will be given a tracer (radioactive material). It may be injected, swallowed, or inhaled. Your scan may then be done right away, or you may need to wait a few hours or even days to allow the tracer to concentrate in the part of the body being studied.

• Your scan may take a few hours. Bring something you can do if you need to wait.

During the Scan

• You will lie on a narrow imaging table.

• A large camera is placed close to your body.

• Remain as still as you can while the camera takes the pictures. This will ensure the best images.

• The table or camera may be adjusted to take more pictures.

After Your Scan

• Drink plenty of water to help clear the tracer from your body.

• Your doctor will discuss the test results with you during a follow-up visit or over the phone.

Your next appointment is: _________________