Frequently Asked Questions
If you are going to have a nuclear medicine test you will probably have questions which you would like to ask. This section will answer some of them.
The staff in the department want your visit to be as pleasant as possible. If you have any other questions please ask them.
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What is a scan?
This is a test in which a small amount of radioactivity is used to obtain pictures. These pictures will help your doctor understand your illness.
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What is involved?
Radioactivity is usually injected into a vein in your arm. You may have to wait before pictures are taken. During the scan you will have to lie still on a bed or sit on a chair. In order to obtain good quality pictures the gamma camera will be quite close to you, but you do not have to go into a tunnel. You do not normally need to take off your clothes, and after the scan you can go home.
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Is the radiation dangerous?
No. Since the amount of radiation you receive is very small, it is similar to that from an x-ray examination. The substances that we inject are not toxic and will not have any affect on you.
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What about Pregnancy?
Please let us know if you are pregnant or if you think you may be pregnant. (Have you missed a period?) Please tell us this before you have your injection. The substance injected can reach the baby and it is important that any precautions are discussed with your specialist. There is no need to avoid pregnancy after having had a nuclear medicine test.
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What about breast feeding?
Radioactive substances can come out in breast milk. Please inform the nuclear medicine department before your test and you will be advised about whether it is necessary to stop feeding for any time.
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Can children have these studies?
Yes. In children, smaller quantities of the radioactive substances are given depending on their size. An anaesthetic cream may be applied 45 minutes prior to the injection.
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How long do I wait?
The waiting depends on the type of scan. It usually varies between a few minutes and a few hours. Different tests require different waiting times. It may be that other patients who arrive after you will have their pictures sooner than you for this reason. If there is more than 1 hour to wait you may be able to leave the department during the interval.
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Can I bring a friend/ relative with me?
Yes, but we prefer you not to bring young children.
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Do I need to prepare for the scan?
Usually you will not prepare for the scan. Generally you can eat and drink as normal before coming, between the injection and the scan, and afterwards. You will be told if you need to fast or do anything special.
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If I am taking tablets or other drugs do I need to stop them?
For most tests there is no need to change any regular treatment. If you do need to stop taking a drug you will be informed.
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Will it hurt?
Only the 'pin prick' of the needle may hurt a little. You may have had a blood test in the past. This is much the same. You will not feel any ill effects from the injection. It does not make you feel sleepy, and does not prevent you from driving a car.
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How long does the scan take?
This varies. Usually between 30 mins and 1and a half hours.
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Do I need to do anything after the scan?
You can eat and drink as normal. You may be asked to drink more than usual for the rest of the day. This is to help wash the radioactivity out of your body. The rest will disappear naturally.
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What about looking after children?
Please avoid 'close contact' with children for the rest of the day. This means, having children sitting next to you or on your lap for more than half an hour. This is to avoid exposing children to unnecessary radiation.
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Can I return to work after my scan?
There is usually no problem, but if your work involves radiation please ask our staff for advice.
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What happens to the results of the scan?
The report is sent to the doctor who asked for the scan. The doctor will have the results 2-3 working days after the scan. The pictures are generally given to the patient. Take these along when you go to see the doctor.
How much will it cost?
In recent years, we have provided bulk billing for patients holding healthcare, pension or concession cards and for oncology patients, with a low gap fee of $70.00 for remaining patients. However, due to the current difficult economic times we have decided to introduce bulk billing to ALL PATIENTS referred to us, starting on 15 June 2009.