Gallium Whole Body Scan

Indications:

This scan is done to check for inflammation or an abscess of your abdomen.

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 and have an existing IV or INT, we may use that site for your injection.
2. This is a 4 day test.
3. The first day you must arrive at 7:00 am for an injection. 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.
4. The technologist will inform you when to return for the scan. Register at Outpatient registration on day 1 only.

Inpatient and Outpatient Preparation Instructions:

1. If you are breastfeeding, pregnant or think you are pregnant you must inform your doctor.
2. If you are an inpatient, you must stay on a full liquid diet for three days. (Dietary Services will know what is allowed on your diet.)
3. If you are an outpatient you must stay on a full liquid diet for three days. A full liquid diet consists of cooked cereal, milk, Jell-O, sherbet, vanilla ice cream, coffee, tea, fruit juices, cream soups, bouillon, broth, puddings, Popsicles and yogurt without fruit.
4. If you are diabetic follow your diabetic diet and DO NOT skip your medication.
5. You need to get enemas until clear before the scan except on day one. The enemas can be given the morning of the scan or the night before. If you are an outpatient and unable to give yourself enemas call 419-394-3335, extension 3550 and they will make arrangements to have them done at the hospital.

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.