Nuclear Medicine

What is a Nuclear Medicine Examination?

Nuclear Medicine involves the use of radioactive materials, or isotopes, to obtain specific diagnostic information. These isotopes transmit a pattern of rays representing the organ size, shape, and function. The rays are detected by a special camera then produced on a computer screen.

What Can You Expect During the Exam?

You will be positioned on the scanning table under the camera. A radionuclide will then be injected or taken orally. This makes it possible for the camera to detect certain organs and their functions.

Most scans require different images and perhaps a few position changes. You will be asked to lie still. Each scan will take about 3 minutes, some may take longer. Movement may result in the need for additional scans.

For Your Personal Safety

If you are having a Nuclear Medicine examination, please tell your doctor or the technologist if you are:

Instructions for You

  1. Bone scans: Plain Bone Scan
    • You should drink plenty of water before the exam.
    • Exam takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
  2. Bone scan: with/without Flow
    • Exam takes about 1 hour to complete.
  3. Cardiac
    • You may not have any food or drink 6 hours prior to the exam.
    • You may not consume any caffeine (including decaf coffee) 48 hours prior to the exam.
    • Exam takes about 4 hours to complete.
  4. Gallium Whole Body Scan
    • This exam takes 3 to 4 days to complete
    • Each session takes about 1 to 2 hours.
  5. GI Bleed Scan
    • You may eat and drink whatever you like.
    • Exam takes about 2 hours.
  6. Liver/Spleen Scan
    • You may eat and drink whatever you like.
    • Exam takes about 2 hours.
  7. Meckels Diverticulum Scan
    • You may not have any food or drink 12 hours prior to the exam.
    • Exam takes about 1 ½ hours.
  8. Muga Study
    • You may eat and drink whatever you like.
    • Exam takes about 1 ½ hours.
  9. PYP Cardiac Scan
    • You may eat and drink whatever you like.
    • Exam takes about 3 hours.
  10. Testicular Scan
    • You may eat and drink whatever you like.
    • Exam takes about 1 hour.
  11. Thyroid Uptake
    • You may not have any food or drink after midnight for the first day of the exam.
    • Exam takes two days to complete
  12. Thyroid Scan
    • You may eat and drink whatever you like.
    • Exam takes about 1 ½ hours.
  13. Vasotec Renal Scan
    • You may eat whatever you like.
    • Make sure to drink plenty of water before the exam.
    • Exam takes about 2 hours.
  14. Ventilation/Perfusion Lung Scan
    • You may eat and drink whatever you like.
    • Exam takes about 1 ½ hours.
  15. Hepatobiliary Scan
    • You may not have any food or drink 6 hours prior to your exam.
    • Exam takes about 2 hours.

Appointment and Contact Information

Please call if you have any questions:
Carteret General Hospital 808-6154
Nuclear Medicine 808-6162
Scheduling 808-6200

Our hours are from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday