What is a nuclear medicine scan?
A nuclear medicine scan looks at how well blood is flowing to an area of the body or how well an organ or body system is working. It involves giving a small amount of radioactive fluid, called tracer, by I.V. (intravenous, a small needle placed in a vein) or by mouth.
How does my child get ready for the scan?
Once your child's appointment is confirmed, you'll get instructions for how to prepare.
If the scan is looking at your child's gastrointestinal (gut) area, they can't eat or drink before the scan.
If your child needs an I.V., they will have numbing medicine placed on their skin 30 minutes before the scan. This will make it more comfortable for your child when the I.V. is started.
You can bring a comfort item for your child, like a blanket or stuffed toy.
What happens during the scan?
Your child will go into the imaging room. You can stay with your child during the whole scan, or you can choose to stay for some of the time and come back at the end.
In the imaging room, your child will lie on a special type of bed. Velcro straps will be used to help your child hold still.
The technologist will start the I.V. and inject the tracer. The I.V. may be left in during the scan.
Depending on the area of your child's body that is being scanned, your child may be able to watch a movie in the room to keep them busy during the scan.
How long does the scan take?
How long it takes depends on the type of scan your child is having.
| Scan | Time |
| Bone scan | 2 to 3 hours |
| HIDA scan | 1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| MAG 3 renal scan | 1 hour |
| DMSA/gluco renal scan | 2 1/2 hours |
| DTPA/GFR renal scan | 3 to 4 hours |
| Meckel's scan | 1 hour |
| Gastric emptying scan | 2 1/2 to 4 hours |
Does the scan have any side effects?
Very rarely, some children get a skin rash after the tracer injection.
The amount of radiation from the scan is so small that it’s not a health concern.
What happens after the scan?
Your child may eat, drink, and play as usual.
Most of the tracer is flushed out of your child's body when they pee and poop.
Your child may have a bruise where the I.V. was started. This should fade over the next few days.
Your family doctor will get the results of the scan in about 1 week. Call your doctor’s office to talk about the results.
