Test

About the Test

Patient Preparation

Biliary Scan

This scan is an imaging procedure used to diagnose problems in the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts.

Nothing to eat or drink for at least 4 hours prior to test.  Test duration – 90 minutes.

Bone Scan

A bone scan is a nuclear imaging test that helps diagnose and track several types of bone disease.

No patient preparation required.  Two parts to exam.  First portion lasts up to 30 minutes.  The patient returns 2.5-4 hours later for the second portion of imaging, which lasts for 1 hour.

Gastric Emptying Study

This test uses special radioactive material that allows physicians to identify abnormalities related to emptying of the stomach.

Nothing to eat or drink for at least 12 hours prior to test.  Liquid emptying test duration – 45 minutes.  Solid emptying test duration – 4.5 hours.  May be completed for patient either on or off medication, at physician’s discretion (please indicate).  If patient is directed not to take medication, then they must be off medication for at least 24 hours.  E.g. domperidone/ motilium, metoclopramide/reglan, tegaserod/zelnorm.

Lung Scan

This scan is an imaging procedure used to diagnose and monitor the function of the lung(s).

No patient preparation required.  Test duration – 1 hour.

Renal Scan

A renal (kidney) scan is a nuclear scanning test that is done to check kidney function and/or appearance.

Patient to drink 2 glasses of water prior to scheduled test (patient can still void).  Check with physician for discontinuation of any medications prior to appointment.  Test duration – 60 minutes.

Thyroid Scan

Thyroid scanning is used to determine how active the thyroid tissue is in manufacturing hormones as well as other diseases.

Two-day test.  In almost all cases, anti-thyroid medications must be discontinued for 5 days, and thyroid hormone replacement medication must be discontinued for 4 weeks.   First day, a capsule is given, and uptake is measured 4 hours later.  Second day, patient returns for a second uptake and imaging (90 minutes). 

White Blood Cell (Indium)

These procedures are used to detect inflammatory processes in the body, such as infections.

Two-day test.  First day has two parts, which each take 45 minutes with 4-5 hours between each part.  Patient should be prepared to be available entire day for test.  Next day patient returns for imaging (2 hours).  Please notify our office if the patient is on dialysis. 

White Blood Cell (HMPAO)

Possible two-day test.  First day has three  parts, which each take 45 minutes, with 3 hours between each part.  Patient should be prepared to be available entire day for test.  Patient may return next day for additional imaging and will be notified of this on the first day.  Please notify our office if the patient is on dialysis.