Check in this space the options of Scintigraphy exams performed at InsCer.

Scintigraphy and Spect Exams

Scintigraphy and SPECT is a diagnostic imaging method in Nuclear Medicine. Through the combination of a radioisotope (radioactive material) and a drug that takes the radioactive material to the organ to be studied, the method allows functional and metabolic information on these structures. The gamma ray emitted by the patient, after receiving this compound, is captured by a device called a gamma camera. The images obtained can be flat, dynamic and even tomographic (SPECT). This technique can be used for studies of renal, cardiac, neurological and pulmonary studies, among others.

• Lymphoscintigraphy

  PREPARO

  No preparation is necessary.

  EXAMINATION PERFORMED

  The radiopharmaceutical is injected and images are acquired immediately and also 1 hour after the injection. Another image must be obtained after the patient has taken a walk, 3 hours after the injection.

• Hepatic Blood Flow (qualitative or quantitative)

  PREPARO

  No preparation is necessary.

  It is essential that the patient bring previous ULTRA-SONOGRAPHY and TOMOGRAPHY exams.

  EXAMINATION PERFORMED

  The patient receives an injection of radiopharmaceutical and after 20 minutes a quantity of blood is taken. The material is manipulated and after 10 minutes it will be reinjected into the patient. Images will be acquired 10 minutes and 2 hours after intravenous administration.

• Meckel's diverticulum

  PREPARO

  Fast from 4 to 6 hours.

  Newborns may have their fast reduced to 2 hours.

  EXAMINATION PERFORMED

  The patient receives an injection of the radiopharmaceutical and images are acquired within an hour.

• Digestive Bleeding Survey with Red Blood Pool

  PREPARO

  No preparation is necessary.

  Bring previous exams.

  EXAMINATION PERFORMED

  In case of marked red blood cells in vitro, the patient receives an injection of radiopharmaceutical and after 20 minutes a quantity of blood is removed. The material will be manipulated and after 10 minutes it will be reinjected into the patient. Images are acquired immediately after administration of red blood cells and the patient must be available within 24 hours after administration of the marked red blood cells.

  ATTENTION: the patient must not have had a barium contrast test taken orally in the last 24 hours or colonoscopy until 48 hours before the exam at InsCer.

• Renal Flow Scintigraphy

  PREPARO

  No preparation is necessary.

  EXAMINATION PERFORMED

  The patient receives a radiopharmaceutical injection in the imaging room already positioned on the equipment.

• Renal scintigraphy with DMSA

  PREPARO

  No preparation is necessary.

  Bring previous kidney-related tests (laboratory, ultrasound, urography, scintigraphy, etc.).

  EXAMINATION PERFORMED

  The patient arrives at the service, receives the injection of the radiopharmaceutical and, after 6 to 8 hours, returns to InsCer to acquire the images, a procedure that takes about 30 minutes.

• Bone Scintigraphy (Total Body)

  PREPARO

  No preparation is necessary.

  Bring previous exams, mainly bone scintigraphy, X-rays, tomography and MRI.

  EXAMINATION PERFORMED

  The patient receives an intravenous injection of a radiopharmaceutical that attaches to the bone. The images are taken 3 hours after the injection.

  The exam lasts approximately 60 minutes, but depending on the case, it can be longer.

  REMARKS

  After the injection, it is recommended that the patient ingest a large amount of fluids.

  In some patients, it is necessary to acquire complementary images the next day.

• Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy - Rest and Stress

  PREPARO:

  For exams performed with physical or pharmacological stress, the preparation procedure is the same, which follows:

  On the day of the exam, wear or bring appropriate clothing to exercise. The sneakers or shoes must have rubber soles and be comfortable.

  Avoid exercising two hours before the exam. Do not smoke at the same time.

  Eat lightly up to two hours before the exam. However, it is forbidden until 24 hours before the exam to consume any food, drink or medication that contains caffeine, such as: black coffee, tea, chimarrão, soda and chocolate.

  Bring all the exams related to the problem, mainly scintigraphy of the heart performed previously.

  EXAMINATION:

  The exam takes place in two stages, which normally take place in two days, in any order.

  One of the stages is the REST, where the patient receives the injection of the radiopharmaceutical without any stimulus. After approximately 60 minutes (or more), the patient goes to the exam room to acquire the images, which lasts for 20 minutes.

  The other step of the exam is STRESS. Stress can be done by exercise testing (physical stress) or medication (pharmacological stress). The radiopharmaceutical that will focus on the heart is injected during stress. After 30 to 60 minutes (or more), the patient goes to the exam room to acquire the images, which lasts for 30 minutes.

  OBSERVATIONS :

  It is at the discretion of the requesting physician to suspend any medication the patient uses.

  Patients using Aminophylline should consult their doctor, as medication makes it impossible to perform the exam.

  The patient should set aside 2 to 3 hours in his schedule each day he comes to InsCer to perform the exam steps.

• Brain Perfusion Scintigraphy with Trodat

  PREPARO:

  The exam does not require preparation, except in case of anesthesia, when it is necessary for the patient to fast for six hours.

  EXAMINATION:

  When arriving at nuclear medicine, the patient has his vein punctured and is asked to rest lying down, with his eyes closed, in a quiet environment with little sound and low light, for approximately 20 minutes.

  After this period, the radiopharmaceutical is injected and, after 40 minutes, the patient is released to go out and eat, if he wishes. Four hours after the injection, he goes to the examination room for image acquisition, which lasts approximately 40 minutes.

  IMPORTANT NOTE:

  It is necessary to schedule this exam at least 15 days in advance.

• Brain Perfusion Scintigraphy

  PREPARO:

  Fasting is not necessary.

  The patient should avoid ingesting substances that can affect brain flow, such as: foods containing caffeine, black coffee, alcohol and cigarettes.

  The patient's medications (medications for anxiety, depression or other neurological indication) should be checked and only suspended if the requesting physician has advised.

  EXAMINATION:

  When arriving at nuclear medicine, the patient has his vein punctured and is asked to rest lying down, with his eyes closed, in a quiet environment with little sound and low light, for approximately 20 minutes. In silence, the nursing technician enters the room, injects the radiopharmaceutical and after 40 minutes, the patient goes to the examination room to acquire the images, which lasts approximately 40 minutes.

  For patients who request an exam with activation, two exam days must be scheduled. On the first day a common brain SPECT is done. In the second, the patient performs an indicated activity while being injected, and then the images are acquired.

  The minimum time for the exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes. The injected material does not cause an allergic reaction or side effect.

  Bring previous exams such as: electroencephalogram, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, etc.

  IMPORTANT NOTE:

  The test is contraindicated for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding. Due to radiation protection measures, the patient should not be accompanied by pregnant women or children.