Frequently Asked Questions

What is nuclear medicine?

Nuclear medicine is a field of medicine in which very small amounts of radioactive agents are used in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. After the substances are administered into the body, images of the activity retained in the relevant organ are collected with a gamma camera and interpreted by a physician for diagnostic purposes. Based on the principle that radiation destroys cells, high-dose applications for therapeutic purposes can also be performed for certain diseases.

How is a nuclear medicine study performed?

A very small amount of a specific radioactive substance to be used for the relevant organ is administered to the patient, most often through a superficial vein, sometimes by mouth or by inhalation. The substance localizes in the organ and emits gamma radiation, which is detected by a special camera. The camera captures images of the radioactive substance within the organ and records this information on a computer screen or on film. Images of the relevant organ are taken immediately after injection, or hours or days later depending on the study. The image acquisition time varies between 15 and 60 minutes. In most tests, the patient simply lies on the bed, and sometimes sits up.

How are the substances given to the patient?

Most often by injection into a superficial vein in the forearm with a very thin needle, sometimes by mouth or by inhalation.

How long does a nuclear medicine test take?

It depends on the test. Because the localization of the radioactive substance depends on the physiological behavior of the relevant organ and the characteristics of the substance, the optimal imaging time varies from organ to organ. Sometimes, as in cardiac imaging, two separate scans of the same organ may be required on the same day, after exercise and at rest. Imaging for the lungs may take half an hour, and for cardiac and whole-body bone scintigraphy it may take 2-3 hours. Completing imaging for studies such as gallium or octreotide can take up to 24-48 hours.

Does the patient need to make any special preparation before the scan?

While some tests require minimal preparation or none at all (for example, bone, brain, kidney and lung studies), others do require preparation. Examples include fasting for 4 hours before a gallbladder study, or not drinking any coffee or tea starting 24 hours before a cardiac test. For this reason, it is essential to obtain information before the test.

Do scintigraphy scans have side effects?

Because the doses given to the patient contain minimal carrier, they do not cause serious side effects or allergic reactions. The radiation dose used in a nuclear medicine test may be less than that of many diagnostic radiology tests, air travel, or even background radiation on Earth. However, since the substance passes into breast milk, it is recommended not to breastfeed the baby for up to 24 hours after the injection. To speed up the excretion of the substances through the kidneys and bladder, especially after whole-body bone scintigraphy, drinking plenty of water is recommended unless your doctor advises otherwise.

What are the benefits of nuclear medicine tests?

These tests are very sensitive and can detect some diseases at a very early stage, for example bone metastases of cancer, Alzheimer's disease... Compared with tests such as MRI and tomography, which provide anatomical information, they provide information about the functional status and viability of various organs and tissues.

How can a patient make an appointment?

After a referral from the patient's primary physician or a specialist physician, the patient or their doctor can make an appointment by calling our Call Center at 444 5 888.