Nuclear Medicine is a branch of diagnostic imaging that uses trace amounts of radioactive pharmaceuticals to map the function of many organs and body systems. Common areas are the heart, bones, lungs, kidneys, liver, stomach and thyroid gland.
Nuclear Medicine is a branch of diagnostic imaging that uses trace amounts of radioactive pharmaceuticals to map the function of many organs and body systems. Common areas are the heart, bones, lungs, kidneys, liver, stomach and thyroid gland.
Nuclear Medicine can provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis of a wide range of medical conditions when used alone or in conjunction with other imaging tests.
The tracer, usually injected into an arm vein, concentrates in the area of interest. A gamma camera moves close over the area, building an image from the radiation emitted. A complex digital system then analyses, stores and displays the images that are evaluated by our medical imaging specialists.
Nuclear Medicine provides unique functional and physiological information to diagnose problems that often cannot be gained from other imaging examinations. This information is used to implement the best health care for patients.
All Lake Imaging nuclear medicine technologists are accredited and registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
You will need to bring:
A referral form from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment day, please notify us in advance to receive special instructions.
Children under the age of 13 may, by prior arrangement arrive early and have a local anaesthetic cream applied to the injection site.
On the morning of the test, drink two or three glasses of water, but avoid excessive amounts of tea or coffee. There is no need to have a full bladder.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions. If you would rather not get changed, wear clothing and underwear without any metal present to your appointment.
The technologist will explain the scanning procedure then position you for the scan. The radioactive tracer will then be injected into an arm vein. Imaging starts immediately, and you may breathe normally but must try not to move. Initial imaging takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Some procedures are two-part test, requiring delayed scanning 2-4hrs later.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. In some procedures, it rotates around the body while acquiring images. You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scanning process.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level a short time after the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
You may resume your normal activities immediately after the procedure is completed.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) is a type of Nuclear Medicine image that provides a three-dimensional view of the body. It is not needed for all Nuclear Medicine examinations, but when it used, the sensitivity of the Nuclear Medicine images increases and diagnostic confidence is improved.
SPECT imaging typically takes 15 minutes and the gamma camera slowly rotates around the patient acquiring images over 360 degrees. The computer then reconstructs these images to produce 3D views.
SPECT imaging is usually performed in conjunction with a low dose CT scan (SPECT/CT). This further improves the image quality and allows accurate anatomical localisation and interpretation of the Nuclear Medicine scan. CT imaging is performed on the same camera, often negating the need to send patients for dedicated CT imaging.
A Myocardial Perfusion Scan images the blood supply (perfusion) to the heart muscle using a gamma camera. The blood supply is made visible to the camera by the introduction of a small amount of radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical or MIBI) injected into an arm vein. Occasionally an alternative tracer called Thallium is used. Depending on the exact heart condition in question, the procedure may be performed at rest, with the heart under stress or, most commonly, both. There are two types of myocardial perfusion, Exercise and Pharmaceutical.
Myocardial scans give information useful in diagnosing and managing conditions such as coronary artery disease, dead tissue resulting from a lack of blood supply (infarcts) and diseases of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).
Exercise Stress Myocardial Perfusion Scan
An Exercise Stress Myocardial Perfusion Scan examines the blood supply (perfusion) to the heart muscle using a gamma camera. The blood supply is made visible to the camera by the introduction of a small amount of radioactive tracer, (radiopharmaceutical or MIBI) injected into an arm vein. The injection is given during stress exercise on a treadmill, then again while resting later on.
Pharmaceutical Stress Myocardial Perfusion Scan
A Pharmaceutical Stress Myocardial Perfusion Scan examines the blood supply (perfusion) to the heart muscle using a gamma camera. The blood supply is made visible to the camera by the introduction of a small amount of radioactive tracer, (radiopharmaceutical or MIBI) injected into an arm vein. The injection is given during stress, then again while resting later on. The heart is subjected to a stress test using a pharmaceutical called persantin, as an alternative to exercising.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
Before you attend your appointment, please read and follow the printed instructions exactly.
During the 24 hours before your appointment time:
Please call Lake Imaging immediately if you have any further questions or need any clarification.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc.
At Lake Imaging your stress test procedure will be carried out by a Nuclear Medicine Technologist who has a degree in Medical Radiation Science and is accredited by AHPRA.
A nurse will explain and prepare you for the stress test, which includes introducing an intravenous cannula (a small tube for taking blood samples and administering medicines) and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring during the treadmill exercise. A doctor will then speak to you before you start the exercise process. If exercise presents problems for you the doctor may suggest either trying gently exercising on the treadmill or an alternative stress method using a pharmaceutical.
After each injection, a gamma camera placed over the chest images (maps) the pattern of tracer accumulated in the heart’s left ventricle, giving information useful in diagnosing and managing conditions such as coronary artery disease, infarcts and diseases of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).
The images are usually combined with a low dose CT (Computed Tomography) scan performed at the same time on the same scanner. This combined SPECT/CT scan improves the accuracy of the information obtained, and adds only a few minutes to the duration of the procedure.
After the first scan is completed, the technologist will inject more MIBI, and ask you to wait, resting from 30 to 60 minutes before repeating the scan to show the heart perfusion at rest.
Please allow up to four hours for the entire procedure.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level a short time after the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about your examination you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
Nuclear Medicine is a branch of diagnostic imaging that examines the function of many organs and body systems, including the kidneys.
A nuclear renal scan examines the blood flow and function of the kidneys using a small amount of a radioactive chemical (tracer or radiopharmaceutical) that is injected into an arm vein. A gamma camera placed over the kidneys images or maps the pattern of tracer passing through the kidneys, giving information useful in diagnosing conditions such as obstruction, low or uneven function, scarring and bladder reflux.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment day, please notify us in advance to receive special instructions.
Children under the age of 13 may, by prior arrangement arrive early and have a local anaesthetic cream applied to the injection site.
On the morning of the test, drink 2 to 3 glasses of water. There is no need for a full bladder.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown.
Cortical study
The technologist will explain the procedure to you and inject the tracer into an arm vein. You will then be free to leave and return at the time which you will be advised, which will be 90 minutes to 3 hours after the injection. There are no restrictions on your activities during this time unless instructed. On return, the technologist will explain and position you for the scan. You may breathe normally but must try not to move.
Lasix washout and Split Function
The technologist will explain the scanning procedure and position you for the scan. The radioactive tracer will then be injected into an arm vein using an intravenous cannula. Imaging starts immediately, and you may breathe normally but must try not to move. Initial imaging takes 20 to 30 minutes. If needed, Lasix will be injected, again using the cannula. A second set of images will be obtained, taking around 20 minutes. You will then be asked to empty your bladder before a further short scan. Further images may be needed, very occasionally up to two hours later.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. In this procedure it rotates around the body while acquiring images (SPECT). You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scanning process.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
You may resume your normal activities immediately after the procedure is completed.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
SPLIT FUNCTION
A split function renal scan (also called renogram or renal perfusion study) examines the blood flow and function of the kidneys using a small amount of a radioactive chemical (called tracers, radiopharmaceuticals or DTPA) that is injected into an arm vein. A gamma camera placed over the kidneys then maps or takes images of the pattern of the tracer passing through the kidneys, giving information useful in diagnosing conditions such as low or uneven function, malformations and obstructions.
LASIX WASHOUT
A nuclear renal scan examines the blood flow and function of the kidneys using a Radiopharmaceutical (also called tracers or DTPA). This is a small amount of a radioactive chemical that is injected into an arm vein. A gamma camera placed over the kidneys then maps or takes images of the pattern of tracer passing through the kidneys, giving information useful in diagnosing conditions such as obstruction.
If there is any possibility of obstruction in the urinary system, an injection of Lasix may be given after the first 20 to 30 minutes of imaging to temporarily increase the kidneys’ function, and allow further imaging to confirm how quickly the kidneys “wash out”.
CORTICAL STUDY
A nuclear renal scan examines the blood flow and function of the kidneys using a small amount of a radioactive chemical (tracers, radiopharmaceuticals or DMSA) that is injected into an arm vein. A gamma camera placed over the kidneys images or maps the pattern of tracer passing through the kidneys, giving information useful in diagnosing conditions such as obstruction, low or uneven function and scarring.
A bone scan is a Nuclear Medicine test using a small amount of radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical) that is injected into the arm vein to image the function of the skeletal system. It is useful in diagnosing and managing conditions such as fracture, inflammation, infection and tumors in bones.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment day, please notify us in advance to receive special instructions.
Children under the age of 13 may, by prior arrangement arrive early and have a local anaesthetic cream applied to the injection site.
On the morning of the test, drink a normal amount of fluid, and eat normally.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown. If you would rather not get changed, wear clothing and underwear without any metal present to your appointment.
After explaining the procedure to you, the technologist will prepare and inject the tracer into an arm vein. This may happen while you are positioned under the gamma camera to obtain initial pictures of the blood supply to the area.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. In some procedures, it rotates around the body while acquiring images (SPECT). You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scanning process.
This first part of the study takes 15 to 20 minutes. We will then ask you to leave and resume your normal activities, returning two to five hours later at the time specified, for delayed imaging. The exact timing depends on several factors, and you will be advised on the day.
The later images are similar to the first (there are no further injections), but take from 20 to 60 minutes to complete, depending on the area to be covered. These show the uptake of the tracer in the bones, with abnormal areas showing as an increased accumulation.
The gamma images may be combined with a low dose CT scan done at the same time on the same scanner. This combination of SPECT/CT improves the accuracy of the information obtained, and adds only a few minutes to the procedure time.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level a short time after the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
The V/Q, or lung ventilation and perfusion scan uses a gamma camera and small amounts of radioactive tracer to take images of the air and blood supply to the lungs. Its most common use is to diagnose a suspected clot on the lung (pulmonary embolus).
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment day, please notify us in advance to receive special instructions.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown.
The technologist will explain what is involved in the V/Q examination and position you for the scan, then ask you to practice the required breathing procedure.
There are two stages to the V/Q scan. The first involves breathing in a harmless gas containing trace radioactive elements through a tube, holding several breaths briefly, with a number of deep breaths to follow. A gamma camera will then begin to take scans, rotating slowly around your chest for 10 to 15 minutes. You may breathe normally during this sequence, but must try not move. You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scan.
In the second stage of the V/Q examination, which follows immediately, the technologist will inject a perfusion tracer into an arm vein. A second set of images will then be obtained which takes about 10 minutes.
The entire V/Q examination takes up to one hour to complete.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
Nuclear Medicine is a branch of diagnostic imaging that maps the function of many organs and body parts including the thyroid glands.
The thyroid uptake scan uses a gamma camera and small amounts of radioactive tracer injected intravenously, to produce images and measure the function of the thyroid gland. The images show the size, shape and function of the gland, and any nodules or irregularities. It is often used in conjunction with ultrasound.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment day, please notify us in advance to receive special instructions.
Some medications can interfere with the test, and your referring doctor may ask you to stop taking these before the scan. These include thyroid medication, contrast dye used in CT (Computed Tomography) scans, and some heart medication.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown.
After explaining the scanning procedure to you the technologist will inject a radioactive tracer into an arm vein then, after a 15 minute wait, position the gamma camera over your neck. You may breathe normally but must try not move. This stage of the examination takes about 20 minutes.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. It also rotates around the body while acquiring images (SPECT). You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scan.
The images may be combined with a low dose CT scan performed at the same time on the same scanner. The combination of SPECT/CT improves the accuracy of the information obtained and adds only a few minutes to the duration of the procedure.
Please allow up to one hour for this examination.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
The parathyroid scan uses a gamma camera and a small amount of radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical) injected intravenously to examine abnormalities of the parathyroid glands in the neck. It’s most common use is in diagnosing benign tumours (called adenomas) which cause the parathyroid glands to become overactive. The test is usually done in conjunction with ultrasound.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown.
After the technologist has explained the procedure to you, a radioactive tracer will be injected into an arm vein. Imaging starts after a 20 minute wait, and you may breathe normally during the scan, but must try not move. This stage of the imaging takes 20 to 30 minutes, and takes images of the thyroid gland and one or more parathyroid glands revealing any abnormalities.
You will then be asked to leave and resume your normal activities, returning approximately two hours later, allowing time for the excess tracer to clear from the thyroid gland (we will tell you the exact time to return on the day).
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. It also rotates around the body while acquiring images (SPECT). You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scan.
The images may be combined with a low dose CT (Computed Tomography) scan done at the same time on the same scanner. This combination of SPECT/CT improves the accuracy of the information obtained, and adds only a few minutes to the procedure time.
Please allow up to three hours for the whole Parathyroid imaging procedure.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
The gastric emptying scan uses a very small amount of radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical) to measure the emptying or processing speed of the stomach. The tracer is incorporated into a small meal, usually scrambled eggs or porridge, and a gamma camera takes images of its progress through the stomach and bowel. This procedure gives an accurate indication of whether the stomach is functioning normally, or is abnormally slow to process food.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
You should have nothing to eat for eight hours before the time of your appointment, but may drink small amounts of water.
Your referring doctor may ask you to stop taking certain digestion medications before the test.
If you are a diabetic please discuss this with us before you appointment.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment day, please notify us in advance to receive special instructions.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown.
The technologist will explain the procedure, and you will then be asked to eat a small serving of scrambled eggs or porridge containing radioactive tracer. When you have consumed the meal, you will be positioned under the gamma camera, which takes images over the course of one and a half to two hours. During the scanning procedure you may breathe normally but must try not to move.
Occasionally, we need to take further pictures after a break of up to four hours. In this case you will be able to leave the clinic and return at an advised time.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort during the scan.
Please allow up to four hours for the complete scanning procedure.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
The G.I. Bleed Study (or Bowel Haemorrhage scan) is a type of nuclear medicine scan which uses a Gamma Camera and an injected radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical) to take images to detect bleeding in the small or large bowel.
You will need to bring:
Most patients undertaking a G.I Bleed Study will already be in hospital, in which case there is no specific preparation required.
If you are not a patient in hospital a referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination. This is a lengthy procedure and you will be required to remain in the department for most of the day.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the day of the scan, please notify us, to receive special instructions.
At Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown.
After the technologist has explained the procedure to you, a blood sample will be taken from an arm vein. There will then be a 30 minute wait while your blood is “labelled” in the laboratory with the radioactive tracer. After your blood sample is prepared you will lie under the gamma camera while the technologist re-injects the sample into your arm vein.
The gamma imaging begins immediately, and you may breathe normally, but must try not to move. The scan initially takes about one hour. After this, further pictures are taken, usually every hour until bleeding is detected. Each scan will take around 10 minutes.
The entire G.I. procedure may take most of the day.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
The Hepatobiliary Scan (also called HIDA scan) uses a small amount of injected radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical) and a gamma camera to examine the function of the gallbladder and the liver. Its main use is to diagnose gallbladder inflammation or blockages in the bile ducts.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
You should have nothing to eat for eight hours before the time of your appointment but may drink small amounts of water. We need you to avoid fasting for too long, so be sure to have an evening meal on the day before a morning appointment. For an afternoon appointment, a light, early breakfast eight hours prior to the examination time is recommended.
If you are a diabetic please discuss this with us before you appointment.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment day, please notify us in advance to receive special instructions.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown.
The technologist will explain the procedure, position you for the scan and then inject a radioactive tracer into an arm vein. Imaging starts immediately, and you may breathe normally but must try not move. Initial imaging takes 45 to 60 minutes while the tracer passes through the liver and into the gallbladder.
You will then be given a meal replacement drink (“Ensure Plus”) to stimulate the gallbladder. Several more images will be taken after a 30 minute delay to show the rate at which the gallbladder empties.
Occasionally, delayed images may need to be taken up to three hours later.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. In some cases it will rotate around you. You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scan.
The images may be combined with a low dose CT (Computed Tomography) scan performed at the same time on the same scanner. This combination of SPECT/CT improves the accuracy of the information provided, and adds only a few minutes to the procedure time.
Please allow up to 4 hours for the full Hepatobiliary examination.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
A CSF study (Cerebrospinal Fluid) is a nuclear medicine test using small amounts of an injected radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical) and a gamma camera to track the flow of the CSF around the spinal cord and brain. Because this flow is very slow, the examination is completed over two days. A CSF study is most often performed to diagnose flow disruptions, increased pressure or leaks in the CSF.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination that will be performed at a hospital based Lake Imaging clinic.
The day before your appointment you should eat normally and drink plenty of fluids, but not excessive amounts of tea or coffee.
You must have nothing to eat for four hours before your appointment time. Fasting overnight is normally most convenient. You may continue drinking water during this time.
Be prepared to be at the hospital for the entire day and to return the next morning to complete the scans. Some patients will stay overnight, and this will be pre-arranged.
If you are a please discuss this with us when making your appointment.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment day, please notify us in advance to receive special instructions.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown.
A nurse will explain the first stage of the procedure, the lumbar puncture, in which a Radiologist will give you a local anaesthetic before inserting a needle into the lower spine region. This may be done with the help of a CT (computed Tomography) scan to aid in positioning the needle correctly. The Radiologist will then inject the tracer and there will be a break of about four hours before the CSF scan begins.
After this break a technologist will position your head and spine under the gamma camera and take images over a 30 minute period. During the scanning you may breathe normally, but must try not move.
The scanning procedure will then be repeated around six hours after the injection, and again the next day (about 24 hours after the injection). These images will show how far the tracer has travelled around the spinal cord and brain.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. It also rotates around the body while acquiring images (SPECT). You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scanning process.
The images may be taken in combination with a low dose CT scan at the same time on the same scanner. This combined SPECT/CT improves the accuracy of the information obtained, and adds only a few minutes to the duration of the procedure.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Lumbar punctures are low-risk procedures, but they sometimes cause short-lived side effects. These include temporary headache and back pain. Other, more serious side effects such as infection are rare, and we will be explained to you before the procedures begin.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
A sentinel node scan is a nuclear medicine procedure in whicha small amount of radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical) is injected under the skin and imaged using a gamma camera, mapping the lymphatic system around an area requiring surgery. The lymph node (known as the Sentinel node) closest to the abnormality is identified, allowing the surgeon to later remove this lymph node during surgery.
This procedure is normally done before surgery to remove a breast lesion or a melanoma, and surrounding lymph nodes.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
You will normally be admitted to the hospital on the morning of the surgery before being taken to Lake Imaging for the sentinel node study prior to your scheduled surgery time. Occasionally the sentinel node scan is performed on the day before surgery.
When you attend your appointment at Lake Imaging you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown.
A technologist will explain the procedure to you and position you for the scan. The doctor will then inject the tracer beneath the skin. Sometimes this injection can be painful but this usually subsides within a minute.
The scanning process starts after a short delay, during the scan you may breathe normally but must try not move. The initial procedure takes from 20 to 60 minutes in total with pauses in between each scan taken at one minute intervals. The last and longest series of scan takes 15 minutes. Further images may be needed after a break, occasionally up to two hours later.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. In this procedure, it also rotates around the body while acquiring images (SPECT) for 15 minutes. You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort during the scan.
The images may be combined with a low dose CT (Computed Tomograph) scan done at the same time on the same scanner. This combined SPECT/CT improves the accuracy of the information obtained, and adds just a few minutes to the procedure time.
Once the sentinel lymph node imaging is complete, it’s the location of the Sentinel node will be marked on your skin.
Please allow up to four hours for the entire scanning procedure.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
Radioiodine therapy uses a radioactive form of iodine to treat hyperactivity or enlargement of the thyroid gland. The iodine is contained in a small capsule which is swallowed and digested in the stomach, then absorbed by the thyroid gland. It is a safe alternative to surgery or long term medication.
After you undertake radioiodine therapy you will receive advice on how to avoid giving unnecessary radiation exposure to others.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
Before you attend your appointment, please read and follow the printed instructions given to you by your referring doctor or medical specialist exactly.
When making the booking, a technologist will speak to you to gather information and explain the procedure.
You must cease thyroid medication as instructed before the appointment date.
On the day of your appointment you must eat nothing for three hours prior to the appointment, but you may drink water. After the appointment you must eat nothing for a further one hour.
If you are a diabetic please advise Lake Imaging when making your appointment in case special fasting arrangements are necessary.
Please ensure that you make arrangements to comply with the radiation precautions you were given. These will vary for each patient.
Be sure to notify us promptly if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, as the capsules are manufactured to individual order, and require 48 hours to cancel.
Please allow at least 30 minutes for the complete procedure.
When you arrive for your appointment at Lake Imaging a technologist will explain the radioiodine therapy procedure, then a doctor will interview you and discuss your therapy. The technologist will then give you the radioactive capsule to swallow, along with any final instructions.
After your appointment is completed you will be able to go home and continue most activities as normal. Depending on the amount of radioiodine given, you should avoid contact with pregnant women and small children for two to five days, and avoid long periods of close proximity to adults for several days. We may also ask you to avoid preparing food for others, and recommend sleeping during this period. Restrictions on returning to work may also apply, and will depend on the type of work you perform and the dose you have received, but is normally no longer than three days.
Nuclear medicine procedures are considered very safe, but exposure to low doses of gamma and beta radiation carries an extremely small theoretical radiation exposure risk. Although the radiation dose from this therapy is higher than for diagnostic scans, extensive research has not found any evidence of increased cancer incidence in patients receiving radioiodine therapy. In all cases, any potential risk is balanced against the benefit of the treatment, and radiation doses are reduced to a level as low as reasonably achievable.
Other minor, transient side effects are possible. These include dry mouth and difficulty in swallowing. The doctor will fully discuss this with you before giving you the capsule to swallow.
Occasionally a second treatment may be necessary after several months, or the thyroid gland may become underactive after a number of years.
Any continuing side effects or concerns should be discussed with your referring doctor or medical specialist.
Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) is a highly specialized technique used to treat liver cancers that cannot be removed with surgery or other techniques.
The tumours to be treated by SIRT will have been diagnosed and located previously by other forms of radiology such as CT Angiogram, and Nuclear Medicine scans of the liver.
SIR-Spheres are microscopic radioactive particles of resin that are placed via a catheter into the smallest blood vessels inside or close to tumours to accurately deliver a therapeutic radiation dose.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this procedure which can only be performed at a Lake Imaging facility within a hospital.
You will have a number of tests before the therapy. These are usually a CT angiogram of your liver and blood tests, followed by a workup day which includes an angiogram and a nuclear scan of the liver to determine the radiation dosage and procedures required.
Your SIRT treatment will normally be scheduled to take place one to two weeks after the pre-therapy tests.
After admission to hospital, the Cath lab team will prepare you for the procedure, including changing into an examination gown and receiving sedation. The interventional radiologist will insert a catheter into an artery in the groin and moves the catheter precisely into the liver arteries. This procedure may take an hour or more. The SIR-Spheres are then slowly injected through the catheter to lodge in the tumour-affected areas.
After the catheter is removed, you will be transported to the imaging department of the hospital for further scans to confirm correct positioning of the SIR-Spheres. You will then return to the ward to rest overnight before going home.
SIRT procedures conducted by Lake Imaging involve an experienced Interventional Radiologist who will perform the catheterization. The SIR-Spheres delivery is performed or supervised by a Nuclear Medicine Physician or Radiologist. The radiologist and nuclear medicine physician will be assisted by qualified Cath lab staff, radiographers and nuclear medicine technologists.
Following your SIRT procedure, you will spend the night in hospital to recover and be monitored. Many patients experience abdominal pain and/or nausea which normally subside after a short time and with medication. Some patients will develop a mild fever lasting up to a week and fatigue which may last several weeks.
Your treating doctor will discuss the therapy and further action while you are in hospital. Your referring doctor or medical specialist will receive a full report of all imaging and the SIRT treatment within 48 hours.
As with any form of radiation therapy, there can be some side effects. These are quite variable and may include a short period of abdominal pain, some nausea, and mild fever. There are a range of options to treat or minimize these effects. In rare cases, some SIR-Spheres may inadvertently effect surrounding organs and cause some inflammation.
If you are worried or concerned about having a SIRT Procedure you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination commences.
A Gallium Scan is a form of nuclear medicine that uses a small amount of radioactive tracer (67-Gallium Citrate) and a gamma camera to search for and locate areas of infection and inflammation.
The most common uses for Gallium Scans are to diagnose infected joint replacements, and identifying sites of infection elsewhere in the body.
Gallium scans involve two to three visits over several days.
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
You may eat and drink normally up to and during the Gallium Scan procedure. It is helpful if your bowel motions are normal for abdominal and whole body scans.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment or scan days, please notify us in advance to receive special instructions.
On your first visit to Lake Imaging a technologist will explain the Gallium Scan procedure and inject the gallium tracer into an arm vein. You are then free to go home and resume normal activities, returning at the next appointment time, which is usually 48 hours later. This first scanning session lasts about one to one and a half hours while we map the distribution of tracer in the area of interest, which may be either a localized area or the whole body.
Occasionally, we may need more images three days (72 hours) after the first appointment, but can only determine this after the first set of images is complete.
The gamma camera that takes the images during this examination is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. It also rotates around the body while acquiring images (SPECT). You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scanning process.
The images may be combined with a low dose CT (Computed Tomography) scan done at the same time on the same scanner. This combination of SPECT/CT improves the accuracy of the information obtained, and adds only few minutes to the procedure time.
Please allow around one hour for each visit during the Gallium examination.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
The Colonic Transit Study uses a small amount of radioactive tracer (67-Gallium Citrate) and a gamma camera to examine the function of the colon. This is an extended study taking up to seven consecutive morning appointments to complete. Its main use is in diagnosing disorders of bowel motility (ability to pass solid waste spontaneously).
You will need to bring:
A referral from your doctor or medical specialist, and an appointment is required for this examination.
You must have nothing to eat or drink for four hours prior to your appointment, apart from small amounts of water.
You must stop taking all forms of laxative at least 48 hours before your appointment time.
Please ensure that you are available for an appointment each morning for a whole week, and also on the first Monday afternoon, and the following Monday morning.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment day, please notify us in advance for to receive special instructions.
On your first visit to Lake Imaging a technologist will explain the procedure to you and ask you to drink some water containing a tasteless gallium tracer. You will then be free to depart for around six hours.
On your return you will be asked you to remove any jewellery, watches etc, and then change into an examination gown. You will then be asked to lie on an examination table. A gamma camera will then be used to take a series of images over a ten minute period. During the scanning you may breathe normally, but must try not to move.
The imaging process continues each morning at least until Thursday and usually Friday as well, and may need to be repeated on the following Monday, depending on the transit speed of your bowel. Each visit lasts for around 20 minutes.
During the test, you should maintain your normal activities and eating habits, but take no laxatives at all. We will also ask you to note and report the time and date of all bowel motions during the examination period.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scan.
Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a very low level by the end of the procedure, and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Lake Imaging will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Lake Imaging you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
In conjunction with Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS), we now offer percept NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) at our Sunbury and Melton clinics.
This simple blood test analyses DNA, comparing all 23 pairs of chromosomes to screen for conditions such as Down Syndrome
For more information, call us on 9744 5344 or contact your GP. Further information about the screening can be found at vcgs.org.au
*Please note: only the obstetric ultrasound scan performed in conjunction with NIPT is bulk billed, any other obstetric scans will incur an out-of-pocket fee.
I wish to access Lake Imaging Pty Ltd (Lake) Patient Archiving Communications System (PACS) and/or Radiology Information System (RIS) as described above.
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