Nuclear Medicine Scan

Gallium (Extremity)

Indications:

This scan evaluates inflammation of an extremity.

The Procedure:

1. You will receive an injection in your hand or arm by the Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The injection is not a dye or contrast. The injection is a low level radioactive material and patients rarely have a reaction. If you are an inpatient you may be injected through an existing INT or IV site.
2. This is a 4 day test.
3. The first day you must arrive at 7:00 am for an injection in the Nuclear Medicine Department. You will have to return around 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm for the scan. On Day 2, 3 and 4 you will be required to return at 7:00 am for the scan. The Nuclear Technologist will let you know exactly what time to return. You will only need to register on day 1 at Outpatient Registration.
4. Each scan takes 1 hour to complete.

Inpatient and Outpatient Preparation Instructions:

1. If you are breastfeeding, pregnant or think you are pregnant, you must inform your doctor.
2. No preparation is necessary for this scan.
3. If you are diabetic, follow your diabetic diet and DO NOT skip your medication.

Note:

For your convenience we may schedule more than one test on the same day. This can be confusing because the test may have different preparation instructions. If you are an outpatient and don’t understand the instructions, please call Radiology. If you are an inpatient the nursing staff will correlate your test with the preparation.

For Your Information:

The Radiologist (x-ray) doctor will read the scan and send the results to your doctor.

Important:

There is a charge for the isotope injection, which must be ordered before the scan. If it is necessary to cancel the scan, please call the Radiology Department at (419) 394-3335, extension 3528 as soon as possible.