Nuclear gammagraphy
"The new PET-CT equipment offers better quality in less time. This translates into better diagnostic results, increased safety and reliability in clinical patient management and therapeutic outcomes".
DR. JAVIER ARBIZU LOSTAO DIRECTOR. NUCLEAR MEDICINE DEPARTMENT
What is a gammagraphy?
The gammagraphy is a diagnostic test of Nuclear Medicine that consists of the administration of a small dose of radioisotope (tracer). This material is distributed throughout the body and is captured by the various organs.
Then, a gamma camera is used to detect the gamma rays released by the tracer.
The most frequent are:
- Bone Gammagraphy
- Thyroid Gammagraphy
When is a nuclear scan indicated?
These explorations are applied in the study of a great variety of systems, such as the osteoarticular, genitourinary, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and cerebral systems.
In the oncological area, the indications of the gammagraphies are very extensive and within the benign pathology they include a great number of processes, of rheumatic, infectious, vascular, degenerative type or the functional evaluation of certain organs, like the kidney, heart, lung, liver and digestive system.
Among the most studied pathology are bone necrosis, acute or chronic joint processes, stress fractures, painful spinal processes, acute or chronic infections, functional assessment of the thyroid and parathyroid nodule, ventricular function in patients with myocardiopathies, pulmonary embolism, preoperative pulmonary assessment, the functional study of gastric emptying and gastroesophageal reflux, the detection of lower digestive bleeding, the diagnosis and extension of intestinal proliferative disease, the post-operative and evolutionary assessment of renal transplantation, the diagnosis of vascular-renal hypertension, pyelonephritis and in the field of blood cell marking the determination of erythrocyte mass and half-life and platelet sequestration.
Diseases in which a gammagraphy is requested:
Most frequent indications of this test:
- Bone metastases.
- Thyroid problems.
- Parathyroid gland problems.
- Metabolic disorders.
Do you have any of these diseases?
You may need to have a gamma scan
How is a nuclear scan performed?
Performing the scan
First, you will be given the radiopharmaceutical. It can be given orally or, most often, intravenously.
You will need to wait approximately 60 minutes for the tracer to be distributed throughout your body. After this time, the images will be taken.
To do this, the patient must lie down and immobile on a stretcher. The duration of the examination will depend on the anatomical area to be studied and the amount of images needed to complete the study, generally taking 30 minutes.
Preparation of the scan
- Fasting is not necessary, except for thyroid scan, gastric emptying, and iodine-131 screening.
- If you suspect you may be pregnant, you should notify your physician or the Nuclear Medicine nurse upon arrival.
- If you are breastfeeding, ask your nurse for instructions.
- It is recommended that you increase your fluid intake by administering the radioactive isotope to promote its elimination through the urine.
- You should take extreme hygiene measures after going to the bathroom. You should wash your hands and be sure to flush the toilet.
- You should avoid close contact with pregnant women or young children for the time indicated by your Nuclear Medicine nurse.
Possible complications of the gammagraphy
- The dose administered for a scan does not produce any side effects or adverse reactions and will not prevent you from living your normal life.
- The scan does not produce any allergic reactions or any kind of discomfort during its performance.
Where do we do it?
IN NAVARRE AND MADRID
The Nuclear Medicine Service
of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Nuclear Medicine Service-PET is accredited by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, an association that guarantees the excellence and quality control of the procedures performed in this service. This accreditation also facilitates access to phase I and II clinical trials.
We have the most advanced diagnostic technology, such as PET-CT, which allows us to detect small tumor lesions that were previously practically impossible to identify.
The Clinic is the only Spanish center with the capacity to synthesize and apply up to 18 types of radiopharmaceuticals.
Diagnostic tests we perform
- Bone densitometry.
- Gammagraphy.
- SPECT-CT.
- Cellular markings.
- Perfusion monitoring with TNF.
- PET and PET-CT.
Why at the Clinica?
- We have the most advanced technology nationwide.
- Radiopharmacy Unit with experts and capacity to synthesize the largest number of radiopharmaceuticals in Spain.
- Radiophysics and Radiological Protection Unit to guarantee the safety of our patients and professionals.
Our team of professionals
