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Nuclear Medicine Scanning
Childbearing Age?
Important: If you are a woman of childbearing age (13-50) and there is a chance that you are pregnant, please inform your physician.
Enter The Hospital:
Enter through Baldwin Area Medical Center's main entrance and report to the Patient Registration Desk 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. After registering, you will be directed to the Radiology Department.
PATIENT INFORMATION:
Nuclear medicine scans use very small, safe amounts of radioactive material to obtain images of specific organs. The radioisotope used depends on the organ to be examined, since each organ picks up its own specific material. Thus, iodine is picked up by the thyroid gland, calcium by the bone, and so on. By using the appropriate material, almost every organ in the body can be scanned.
PURPOSE:
Nuclear medicine scanning helps your doctor to see a picture of how your organs function. Organs routinely scanned by this examination include the liver, heart, brain, lungs, and thyroid gland, but many others can be scanned as well.
HOW THE EXAM WORKS:
Once the radioisotope reaches the target organ, it is taken up by the cells of the organ, and there, the radioactivity given off can be picked up by a special camera and stored in a computer. Images can also be photographed and studied. Valuable information on the condition of your various organs and organ systems can be obtained.
DOING THE EXAM:
A technologist will help you get properly positioned under the camera, and the radioisotope will receive only a tiny amount of radioactive material which will be eliminated from your body in one or two days. Most scans require a variety of images, so you may have to assume different positions.
YOUR PREPARATION:
Several hours may be required to perform your scan. Some of the nuclear scan procedures require special preparation.
Hepatobiliary Scan with CCK (HYDA)
 Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior to exam.
Should not have had any barium studies five days prior.
Gastric Emptying Imaging
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight if test is in AM.
Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior if in PM.
Renal Imaging (with Captopril)
Patient should be hydrated and on clear liquids the morning of the test.
Must be off of diuretics for 48 hours. Patient must arrive early for Captopril dose. If patient is on Captopril or other ACE Inhibitor, they must bring this medication with. Radiology Department will give instructions for this.
Thyroid Uptake and Imaging
Must not be pregnant or breastfeeding. If breastfeeding, discontinued for four days post scan.
Hold thyroid medications for minimum of two days.
No iodine contrast agents for at least 60 days.
AFTER THE EXAM:
After the exam is completed, you will be able to go home and return to normal activities. The scan will be read by a doctor with special training in the use of radioisotopes. A report will be sent to your chart later in the day if you are an in-patient. If you are an outpatient, a report will be sent to your doctor. Please allow four working days for your doctor to contact you.
BILLING:
You will receive two bills for your radiology examination. Baldwin Area Medical Center will bill for the examination. The Radiologist, who is a doctor with specialized training in radiology, will bill separately for his interpretation, consultation with the physician and report.
We thank you for allowing us to serve you and welcome any questions or comments you may have.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please call Baldwin Area Medical Center at (715) 684-3311.
PATIENTS RIGHTS:
As a patient you have the right to know about and discuss with your family, your doctor and nurse exactly what type of treatment and care you will be receiving.
The healthcare team of Baldwin Area Medical Center accepts the responsibility to ensure that you are adequately informed about all procedures. We hope this information will help.
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