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Over the years, many patients have benefited by the expertise of Max Healthcare nuclear medicine program. They have undergone several procedures as part of their medical evaluation.
Determining which test is appropriate depends on specific symptoms and the condition being diagnosed. Whatever the cause, you can be rest assured that Max Healthcare can provide you with the expertise needed for an accurate evaluation.
There are several types of nuclear medicine available for treatment today.
At Max Healthcare, our team of expert professionals offers the following services:
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 PET/CT Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) |
This procedure has wide applications in oncology, cardiology, neurology, etc. In oncology, it is used to detect metabolically active malignant tumours, for staging and monitoring the response to therapy for malignant disease. In cardiology, this is used to assess the coronary blood flow as well as the metabolic activity, in order to assess myocardial viability. It is used in many neurological disorders including Parkinsonism, dementias and seizure disorders.
Technology:
A PET/CT scanner combines two imaging modalities: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT). This combination makes it possible to fuse anatomic information furnished by the CT scan with molecular imaging information provided by the PET imaging.
With this technology, not only can abnormal cell function be detected, but it can be anatomically mapped with great precision. This precision allows more accurate diagnosis and staging, which can help lead to better outcomes.
PET/CT Scan
FDG PET-CT scan stands for: fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET). CT is a tomographic imaging technique that uses an x-ray beam to produce anatomic images. This anatomic information is used to detect and to help determine the location and extent of malignancies. Combined PET/CT devices provide both the metabolic information from 18F-FDG PET and the anatomic information from CT in a single examination.
PET and PET-CT can help accurately evaluate:
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Cancer |
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Infection |
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Heart disease |
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Evaluate effectiveness of treatment (cancer and infections) |
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Brain disorders |
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Abnormal blood flow |
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Abnormal organ function |
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Blood cell disorders |
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Bone disorders |
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Patient Preparation
Before Your Exam |
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Kindly get the following tests done before your scan |
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1. Blood Urea and Serum Creatinine within a week prior to scheduling your scan |
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2. Fasting Blood Sugar one day prior to the scan |
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Please do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to your appointment time, except plain water and medication. |
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Please do not eat carbohydrates or sugar (i.e. bread, pasta, potato, rice or ready made shakes) for 12 hours prior to your exam. |
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When a contrast CT is scheduled along with your PET scan, then kindly inform the Nuclear Medicine Physician if: |
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1. You have a history of iodinated contrast material allergy |
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2. You are using of metformin for the treatment of diabetes mellitus |
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3. You have any kidney disease |
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| Note: Intravenous contrast material will not be administered when the serum creatinine level is above 2.0 mg/dL. |
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Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home. |
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During Your Exam
Upon arrival, the doctor / technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have. |
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If you are diabetic, then your blood Sugar level will be checked in the department. |
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You will receive an intravenous injection (in your vein) of a tracer dose of radioactive material. |
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The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects. |
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You will be asked to wait approximately 1-2 hours before the scan begins. |
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Your scan will take approximately one hour. |
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During that time you will be required to lie flat on your back, without moving. |
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| Using a special nuclear medicine scanner, pictures of your body will be obtained. The scanner does not produce any radiation; it simply detects and records the distribution of the radioactive material in your body. |
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 SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) MPI |
| The role of SPECT in Cardiac Imaging is in detection of coronary artery disease, to assess the functional significance of known blockages in the heart, for evaluation of response to therapy-either medical or following interventions like stenting or bypass and for prognostication. This exam known by many names: Cardiac SPECT, Myocardial Perfusion SPECT, Thallium Stress Test, Nuclear Stress Test. |
| Preparations for the Test |
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Do not eat, drink or smoke for at least four hours before your appointment. |
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Some medications can interfere with this exam. You should speak to your doctor about what medicines you are taking and whether to stop any of them before your stress test. Since some of these medications take as long as 48 hours to clear out of your body, you should speak to your physician several days before you come for the test. |
| Some of the categories of medications to be stopped are: |
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Beta Blockers: 24-48 hours prior to the test |
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Calcium channel blockers: 12-24 hours prior to the test |
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Nitrates: 6-12 hours prior |
If you are unable to exercise on the treadmill, a medication (dobutamine / adenosine) will be administered to stress your heart. In this case, do not eat or drink any caffeinated foods, beverages, supplements, or medications for 24 hours before your test. Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, chocolate, certain soft drinks, as well as some cold and migraine medications.
Please note: Decaffeinated products (such as decaf coffee or soda) still contain small amounts of caffeine and should be avoided before this exam. |
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If you have diabetes, please speak to your physician prior to this exam to receive special instructions you may need regarding your medications. |
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Wear comfortable clothes and rubber-soled shoes or sneakers for the treadmill portion of this exam. |
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Please bring all your old records / documents / investigations along. |
| During the Test |
| Please allow five to six hours for the entire test. |
You will receive two injections of a small amount of radioactive material. The level of radioactivity used is extremely low and has no side effects.
To minimize the number of injections you receive, an intravenous cannula (IV) will be placed in your arm prior to your first radiopharmaceutical injection and will be re-used later for your second injection. |
Technology:
Approximately 1 hour following your first injection, you will be placed under a gamma camera and pictures of your heart will be recorded. This camera does not produce any radiation. It will be placed close to your chest and pictures will be taken for approximately 20 minutes. This portion of the test is called the rest study.
2-3 hours following your rest study, our trained staff will place EKG leads on your chest. The EKG will be used to constantly monitor your heart during your stress test.
Your heart will be stressed, either through exercise or through the use of medication.
During the test you will be constantly monitored by a Physician and a Nurse. The actual stress portion of the test takes about 10 to 15 minutes; however the preparation takes longer (up to 30 minutes).
Before the end of the stress test, a second injection of radioisotope will be administered. This radiopharmaceutical is taken up by your heart muscle and can be visualized by the gamma camera in the same manner as the rest study.
The imaging portion of your stress study will take approximately 20 minutes.
What to Expect
Normal responses during testing include feeling tired, shortness of breath and sweating.
You should tell the physician or nurse if you feel any of these symptoms: chest, arm or jaw discomfort, severe shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, dizziness, light-headedness, leg cramps or soreness. The test will be changed or stopped if it is unsafe for you to continue.
After the Test
When the test is over, you may eat or drink and return to your normal routine.
You may resume all your medications.
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| Bone Scan |
| The role of brain scan is to detect arthritis, osteoporosis, fractures, sports injuries, or other bone abnormalities. Bone scans may also be used to evaluate unexplained bone pain. |
Instructions / preparation
No specific preparation is required. |
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You may have your breakfast / meal before coming for the test. |
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Please carry all old records / documents pertaining to your test. |
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Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home. |
After Arriving
Upon arrival, the doctor / technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have.
During Your Exam
You will receive an intravenous injection (in your vein) of a tracer dose of radioactive material. The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects.
You will be instructed to drink plenty of fluids (4-5 glasses) during the three to five hour delay between your injection and your scan.
If you are an outpatient, you may leave the hospital in the intervening period.
Once you are ready, the scan will take approximately one hour.
During that time you will be required to lie flat on your back, without moving.
Technology:
Using a special nuclear medicine camera, pictures of your bones will be obtained. The camera does not produce any radiation; it simply detects and records the distribution of the radioactive material in your body.
After Your Exam
You will be advised to drink plenty of fluids.
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| Brain SPECT Scan |
The role of this scan is to diagnose Alzheimers and other neuro-degenerative diseases, stroke, seizure, and to evaluate memory loss.
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Upon arrival,
the doctor / technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have. You will receive an intravenous injection (in your vein) of a tracer dose of radioactive material. The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects.
Approximately 30 minutes to two hours later (depending on the type of test), you will be brought into the exam room for the scan. Your scan will take approximately 45 minutes. During this time you will be required to lie flat on your back, without moving.
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Technology:
Using a special nuclear medicine camera, pictures of your brain will be obtained. The camera does not produce any radiation; it simply detects and records the distribution of the radioactive material in your brain. |
After Your Exam
There are no post-exam instructions.
You may be asked to return for a comparison scan, called a Diamox brain SPECT scan, between two to 14 days after your initial scan. Diamox is a drug which increases the blood flow to the brain. A comparison of the Baseline brain scan with a Diamox brain scan provides helpful information to your physician about the blood flow to your brain. |
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| Thyroid uptake and Scan (I-131) |
| This procedure helps to evaluate thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and goiter. |
| Before Your Exam |
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You will be called empty stomach for the test (no food at least 4 hours before the test). |
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You must discontinue thyroid hormones (Eltroxin / Thyronorm / Thyrox) for 4-6 weeks prior to your exam. |
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You must not be taking antithyroid medications (PTU and tapazole) for at least five days prior to your exam. |
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You must consult with your physician before discontinuing your medications. |
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You must not have had iodinated contrast material (IVP, CT with contrast, myelogram or angiogram) for at least 6 weeks prior to your exam. |
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You must avoid excessive seaweed products and seafood for one week. |
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Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home. |
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Kindly bring your doctor's prescription, investigations and old records along. |
During Your Exam
Upon arrival, the doctor / technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have. You will visit the department three times. On your first visit, you will swallow a small radioactive iodine capsule. On your second visit (two hours after taking the capsule), you will have an uptake measurement. This will take approximately five minutes.
Finally, on your third visit (24 hours after taking the capsule), you will have a follow-up uptake measurement of your thyroid gland. You will then be given a radioactive injection (99mTecnitium) and pictures of your thyroid gland will be taken. Measuring the uptake and taking pictures of your thyroid gland will take approximately one hour.
You will be in a sitting position for your uptake measurement procedure and lying flat on your back while pictures of your thyroid gland are taken.
Technology:
The uptake probe is used to perform the uptake measurement and the gamma camera is used to take pictures of your thyroid gland. They do not produce any radiation. Each instrument simply detects and/or records the distribution of radioactive material in your thyroid.
After Your Exam
If you stopped your thyroid medication, kindly speak to the nuclear medicine physician / call your physician for instructions before resuming your medication. |
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| Hepatobiliary (Gallbladder) Scan |
| The role of this scan is to diagnose acute cholecystitis, an obstruction of bile duct, and complications from gallbladder surgery or follow up on a liver transplant. Hepatobiliary scan may also be used to evaluate gallbladder dysfunction. |
Before Arriving for Your Exam
Your must be fasting overnight or at least four hours before the exam.
Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home. |
After Arriving
Upon arrival, the doctor / technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have. |
During Your Exam
You will receive an intravenous injection (in your vein) of a tracer dose of radioactive material. The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects.You will be asked to lie flat on your back on an examination table and to remain still. |
Technology:
Using a special nuclear medicine camera, pictures of your abdomen will be obtained. The camera does not produce any radiation; it simply detects and records the distribution of the radioactive material in your body. |
| Depending on the initial scan result, you may be asked to return if needed at intervals up to four hours and/or 24 hours for a delayed scan to complete the test. It will be done without the re-injection of radioactive material. |
| Your initial scan will take approximately 90 minutes. |
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| Gallium Scan |
| The role of this scan is to diagnose, stage and follow-up on malignant tumors including lymphoma, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, and sarcoma. A gallium scan is also used to diagnose and to evaluate patients with certain infections such as pneumonia, abscess, osteomyelitis, sarcoidosis and fever of unknown origin. |
Before Arriving for Your Exam
No specific preparation is needed for this test.
Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home. |
After Arriving
Each day upon arrival, the doctor / technologist will explain that day's procedure and answer any questions you may have. |
During Your Exam
On your first visit, you will receive an intravenous injection (in your vein) of a tracer dose of radioactive material. The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects. The injection procedure will take about five minutes.
If the study is for tumor imaging, you will be scanned two and three days after the injection. If the study is for infection imaging, you will be scanned at one and two days after the injection.
The first scan day will take one hour, and the second scan day will take two hours. Depending on the scan results, you may need to return one additional day for a one hour scan. |
| During your scan, you will be required to lie flat on your back, without moving. |
Technology:
Using a special nuclear medicine camera, pictures of your body will be obtained. The camera does not produce any radiation; it simply detects and records the distribution of the radioactive material in your body.
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| Nuclear Renal Scan / DTPA Renal Scan |
| The role of this scan is to evaluate kidney function and perfusion, kidney failure, kidney obstruction and to follow up on kidney transplants. Renal scans may also be used to screen and diagnose renovascular hypertensive disease. |
Before Arriving for Your Exam
Drink 3-4 glasses of fluids 1-2 hours prior to the exam. If your test is scheduled to diagnose renovascular hypertension, you should be off ACE inhibitor medications for at least 48 hours. You must consult with your physician before discontinuing your medications. Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home. |
After Arriving
Upon arrival, the doctor / technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have. |
During Your Exam
Once in the exam room, you will be asked to lie flat on your back on the imaging table.
You will receive an intravenous injection (in your vein) of a tracer dose of radioactive material. The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects. |
| If your test is scheduled to diagnose renovascular hypertension, you will receive a pill (captopril) to swallow, and will have your blood pressure monitored every 15 minutes for possibly 1 hour before the injection of radioactive material. |
Technology:
Using a special nuclear medicine camera, pictures of your kidneys will be obtained over the course of approximately 30-45 minutes. The camera does not produce any radiation; it simply detects and records the distribution of the radioactive material in your kidneys. You may be asked to return for delayed imaging at intervals up to 4-6 hours, depending on the initial scan findings. |
After Your Exam
There are no specific instructions.
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