General information
A doctor has asked us to take pictures of your abdomen using a special camera. This will provide the doctor with useful information.
If the appointment clashes with another outpatient appointment or test, or you are unable to attend on this day, please contact this department as soon as possible. We can then reschedule the test and assign the appointment to another patient.
As the test involves small amounts of radiation, we ask that you are not accompanied by children under 18 or anyone who may be pregnant. You may bring one adult with you to the department.
If you have mobility issues, are incontinent or claustrophobic please contact the department on the number provided.
Benefit and risks of the test
Everyone receives some radiation every day from the radioactivity in the air, food we eat and even from space. The amount of radiation in a nuclear medicine test is similar to your natural exposure over one year so the risks associated with it are low.
The main benefit of the test is making the correct diagnosis, so you can get the treatment that is right for you. This benefit is far greater than the small risk from radiation.
What does the test involve?
The test involves giving a small injection into one of the veins in your arm or hand. 20 minutes later, a second injection of a radioactive tracer is given. The injections are very similar to having a blood sample. You should feel no ill effects from either injection. Immediately after the second injection, we will take pictures using a Gamma Camera (see photo). The pictures normally take approximately 1 hour. You are then free to leave the department, but may need to return at hourly intervals for further pictures which normally take 5 minutes each.
Preparation
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding you must inform the department as quickly as possible as special arrangements may have to be made.
Some medications affect the accuracy of the test. If you:
- suffer from sickle cell anaemia
- are taking blood thinning medication
- are taking medication for high blood pressure
- are taking Digoxin
then please contact the department as soon as possible.
Please eat and drink as normal.
Please bring with you a list of any medication that you are on (your repeat prescription sheet if possible).
After the test
You must take extra care to wash your hands thoroughly after toilet use, sit down when you use the toilet and to flush the toilet twice.
When the test is completed, the images will be reviewed and a report will be available to the doctor who has requested the test.
The camera
The Gamma Camera used to take the pictures has an open design and the majority of patients complete the test without any discomfort.
Department of Nuclear Medicine
Lincoln County Hospital 01522 573103
Grantham Hospital 01476 464777