Background information nuclear medicine

Amongst other things, nuclear medicine offers possibilities of examining the functions of separate organs. For that purpose, radiopharmaceuticals are administered into an arm vein. There they “gain access” to various metabolic processes or accumulate in the tissues. In order to obtain an interpretable visual representation (a scintigram), the so-called gamma cameras are used. They detect what kind of radiation is given off, what parts of the body are affected and convert these measured values into a coloured scintigram.

As a rule, the examination is performed with the help of gamma cameras in a lying position or, while examining the thyroid or some other parts of the body, also in a sitting position.

Depending on the preliminary diagnosis and the body areas being examined, the duration of the examination may be different – the time needed may vary between half an hour and several days, when you are examined over a certain period. However, this is the absolute exception.

Examples of examination time:
Thyroid: 30 minutes
Bones: 3-5 hours
Kidneys: 30-60 minutes
Lungs: 30-60 minutes

The most nuclear medicine examinations usually do not require any special preparations.

On the day of scintigraphy, please do not take any thyroid medications before the examination. In individual cases, we will prescribe another preparation for a short time.

Before the nuclear medicine examination of the heart, it is not allowed to take certain medications or there are some requirements to be considered. Get in touch with our medical staff to clarify the details.

During scintigraphy, you are not allowed to wear jewellery.

Especially before and after bone and kidney scintigraphy, you should supply your body with sufficient fluids. Here it is recommended to drink water and fruit juices. The fluids ensure that the radioactive substances will be able to excrete from the body quickly again and optimise the outcome of the examination. Our personnel will explain it to you at the practice, what you should do.

Even after the examination, it is possible to minimise the radiation exposure by drinking plenty of fluids, due to the fact that the majority of substances are excreted through the kidneys.