Imaging Services (Radiology/Nuclear Medicine)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to do anything to prepare for my test?
- How do I get the results of my test?
- What is mammography?
- What is a CT scan?
- What is ultrasound?
- What is PET scanning?
- What are x-rays?
- What is a bone scan?
- What is flow study?
- What is a gallium scan?
- What is a hepatobiliary scan?
- What is a lymphoscintigram?
- What is an Oncoscint scan?
- What is a renal scan?
- What is an RVG?
- What is a Somatostatin Receptor Imaging Scan?
- What is a CEA-SCAN?
- What is a thallium scan?
- What is a Prostascint Scan?
- What is Strontium-89 Therapy (Metastron) or Samarium-153 Therapy (Quadramet)?
Do I need to do anything to prepare for my test?
Procedures other than computed tomography usually require no special preparation. For some procedures, it may be better to abstain from using talc or underarm deodorant prior to your test, or to abstain from eating or drinking. Your physician or a member of the radiology department staff will tell you about any necessary preparations before the day of your test.
How do I get the results of my test?
Your physician will receive a formal report from the radiologist who performs your procedure. In most cases, the radiologist reviews the scan as soon as the procedure is completed. If you have an appointment with your physician later in the day, your doctor will usually have spoken with the radiologist about your results by the time he or she meets with you. Patients having mammograms will receive a written report on their procedure at the time of their visit. If you do not have an appointment with your physician shortly after your test, ask your physician how the results of your test will be given to you.
What is mammography?
Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system and high-contrast, high-resolution film for examination of the breasts. Successful treatment of breast cancer depends on early diagnosis. Mammography can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that mammography can detect 85 to 90 percent of breast cancers in women over 50. Current guidelines from the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend that beginning at age 40, women get annual mammograms.
What is a CT scan?
A computed tomography (CT) scan is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that enables a physician to scan a patient's chest, abdomen, and pelvis for abnormalities such as masses. CT is often accompanied by dyes or other image enhancers called "contrast media." You may take the contrast media orally (drinking it), be given via injection, or both. The contrast media is absorbed differently by different tissues in your body, and helps each type of tissue show up more clearly when scanned. After a few hours, the contrast media dissolves and is passed out of your body when you urinate. The CT scanner includes an x-ray machine that picks up signals from the contrast media absorbed by your body, and a computer that turns signals from the scanner into a three-dimensional image. This image gives the radiologist a finely-detailed picture of the area scanned.
What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, is a method of creating an image of the internal organs through the use of high-frequency sound waves. The sound waves are recorded and displayed as a real-time visual image. No radiation is used in ultrasound imaging. Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show movement of internal tissues and organs, and enable physicians to see blood flow and other functions.
What is PET scanning?
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a non-invasive, nuclear medicine technique that involves tracing slightly radioactive glucose (the sugar that cells use as food) as it is absorbed by cells. Cancer cells absorb glucose at much higher rates than do other cells, and put out a higher signal (show up brighter) on PET scans than do normal cells. PET scans are a good way of determining whether cancer cells have spread beyond the primary tumor site, because they can show up clearly as points of light elsewhere in the body.
What are x-rays?
X-rays are pictures produced by sending a stream of electrically charged, slightly radioactive particles through the body. Different types of tissues (bones versus organs, for instance) absorb these particles differently. By placing a sheet of x-ray film on the opposite side of a person from the source of the particles, a picture of bones and tissues can be created.
What is a bone scan?
A bone scan is a diagnostic test that uses a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to visualize the bones in your body. The tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in the forearm. After administration of the radioactive material, you must wait approximately three hours while the tracer localizes in the bones and clears from the soft tissues.
What is a flow study?
A flow study is a diagnostic test that uses a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to visualize the flow of blood through the upper extremities and the patency (openness) of the central line. The tracer will be injected into the central line as well as into two veins, usually one in each forearm.
What is a gallium scan?
A gallium scan is a diagnostic test that uses a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to visualize sites of disease throughout your body. The tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in the forearm, from one to four days before the scan is performed.
What is a hepatobiliary scan?
A hepatobiliary scan (DISIDA or HIDA) scan is a diagnostic test that uses a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to visualize the liver and the biliary system including the gallbladder. The radioactive material will be injected into a vein, usually in the forearm.
What is a lymphoscintigram?
A lymphoscintigram is a diagnostic test that uses a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to visualize the drainage of fluid by the lymphatic system from your arm or leg or other part of your body. The tracer will be injected just under the skin on the dorsal side of your hand or your foot or other area of the body depending on the test indications. The physician will usually perform two injections into each hand or foot or study area and may need to inject both hands or feet. Immediately following the injections, the scan is performed.
What is an Oncoscint. scan?
An OncoScint. scan is a diagnostic test that uses a murine monoclonal antibody labeled with a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to visualize sites of disease throughout the body. The tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in the forearm, three days before the scan is actually performed.
What is a renal scan?
A renal scan is a diagnostic test designed to evaluate the blood supply to, and the function of, your kidneys. Prior to the injection, you will be asked to lie on you back on a bed placed above the gamma camera. A small amount of radioactive tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in the forearm. As the tracer accumulates your kidneys and is excreted into your bladder, its distribution will be followed via the continuous acquisition of images on a computer.
What is an RVG?
A radionuclide ventriculogram (RVG, also known as a gated blood pool scan or MUGA scan) is a diagnostic test that uses a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to assess the efficiency of the pumping action of the heart.
What is a Somatostatin Receptor Imaging Scan?
A somatostatin-receptor imaging scan (OctreoScan.) is a diagnostic test that uses a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to visualize sites of disease throughout the body. The tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in the forearm. Images will be taken at four and 24 hours after the injection. The images take approximately two hours to acquire, during which time you will be asked to lie on your back with your arms above your head or down by your side. These images will include planar (two dimensional) views as well as tomographic (three dimensional) or SPECT (single photon emission computerized tomography) views.
What is a CEA-SCAN.?
CEA-Scan. scan is a diagnostic test that uses a murine monoclonal antibody fragment labeled with a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to visualize sites of disease throughout the body. The tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in the forearm.
What is a thallium scan?
A thallium scan is a diagnostic test that uses a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to visualize sites of disease throughout your body. The tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in the forearm, 20 minutes before the scan is performed.
What is a Prostascint. scan?
A ProstaScint. scan is a diagnostic test that uses a monoclonal antibody labeled with a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) to visualize sites of disease throughout the body. The tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in the forearm, four days before the scan is actually performed.
What is Strontium-89 Therapy (Metastron.) or Samarium-153 Therapy (Quadramet.)?
Strontium-89 and samarium-89 are radioactive therapeutic agents used to relieve pain resulting from bone metastases. These agents are administered into a vein, usually in the forearm, by a nuclear medicine physician. The procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes. Prior to the injection, you will meet with a physician or registered nurse who will provide you with the necessary information and address any questions or concerns you might have. The physician or registered nurse will also obtain the required blood work, your weight, and make sure that you have had a bone scan within the last three months. Based on your bone scan, x-rays may need to be performed.
Samarium-153 and strontium-89 localize preferentially in skeletal metastases. These agents may also produce a temporary suppressive effect on the bone marrow. Therefore, it may be necessary to obtain blood counts every two weeks, for three months following the injection of strontium-89 and for two months after the injection of samarium-153. These exams may be performed at your local hospital. You may experience a brief flare response or worsening of your pain for two to three days during the first or second week after the injection. Pain relief generally occurs within seven to 21 days and is sustained for an average of three to six months.
Note: The physician or registered nurse will discuss the preparation for this therapy with you.
