What is a nuclear medicine scan?
A nuclear medicine (NM) scan is a diagnostic procedure that uses radioactive tracers, and a camera which can detect them, to take pictures of the insides of a person’s body. Your child will be asked to lie down on the scanner bed and remain still for the whole scan. Depending on which body part is being looked at, the scan can take 20 to 45 minutes but distractions, such as a film, will be provided.
The radioactive tracer will need to be put into your child’s bloodstream, via a needle or cannula. This will be removed as soon as the tracer has been given. This tracer contains the equivalent of six months’ worth of background radiation and the doctors asking for this scan will have assessed the risks and benefits of having the scan done.
Different imaging procedures are used for different diagnoses – some are better than others for specific questions. A NM scan is the only imaging procedure that can demonstrate function (rather than structure) compared to other imaging procedures such as x-ray and ultrasound. The doctor who has asked for this scan will have assessed the risks and benefits of this investigation before deciding to go ahead.
A nuclear medicine scan does involve exposure to radiation, however this is kept as low as possible by the radiographer who has had specialist training.
Please ensure any relevant information in your appointment letter is followed, such as when to stop eating prior to the scan and what time to attend.
If the adult bringing the patient is pregnant, or there is a chance they are, they will be advised to ask another adult to care for the child for 24 hours after the radioactive tracer injection. This is because the radiation can cause harm to the pregnancy.
If your child is 12 years old or older, they will be asked to confirm if they are pregnant, or could be pregnant. This is regardless of if your child is male or female, due to radiation laws. If you have any concerns or issues regarding this, please contact us.
The adult bringing the child for the scan should have ‘parental responsibility’ for them. This refers to the individual who has the legal right to make decisions for the child.
Please refer to your appointment letter for information on when and where to attend. If your child is not having any anaesthetic or medication prior to the scan, you will be asked to come directly to Radiology. If they are required to go elsewhere prior to the appointment, you will be advised where to attend.
Your child may also need to follow certain scan-related preparation, such as a full bladder. Please refer to your appointment letter for full details.
The radioactive tracer will be given to your child via a blood vessel in their arm or hand, using a small needle or cannula. This will be removed once the injection is complete.
Depending on what scan your child is having, there may be a few hours’ delay between the injection and scan. This will be advised at the time of the appointment being booked, with two separate appointment times. It is crucial that your child returns promptly for the scan after the injection, as a delay may cause issues.
Your child will be asked to lie down on the scanner and then the radiographer will start the scan. You will be able to remain in the room during the scan if necessary to support your child. If you are staying in the room during the scan, you will be instructed where to sit and how to support your child.
As soon as the scan is complete, and the images have been checked as good quality, your child will be taken off the scanner and advised on next steps.
If your child is visiting as an outpatient, once you and your child are advised you are able to leave, you can return to normal routine. A radiologist (specialist radiology doctor) will review the images within a designated time frame based on the urgency of the scan. They will then send a report to the referring doctor who will contact you to discuss
If your child is having the scan as an inpatient or via A&E, you will go back to the department you were seen in, and the doctors will review the report written by the radiologist and make a decision on the next step.
It is important to take extra precautions while the tracer is being passed out of your child’s body, such as via their urine as this may still be radioactive. Extra precautions such as flushing the toilet twice, or disposing of nappies in an outside bin, will reduce your exposure to radiation. Your child should remain hydrated to help flush out the tracer.
Any questions?
Please contact the radiology department bookings team if you have any questions or need to rebook the appointment.