Nuclear medicine testing is used for the following diagnostic purposes:

1)  identify infection :  WBC scans – where the patient’s white blood cells(the first line of defense against infection) are extracted from the body, tagged with nuclear material and then re-injected into the patient.  The resultant scan shows where the WBC are accumulating, thereby identifying any significant areas of infection.  How is it done?   Blood is drawn from the patient and an intravenous catheter secured.  The white blood cells are separated from the rest of the blood sample and then mixed with a small amount of a radioactive material (a radioisotope) called indium-111. The cells with the radioactive material are considered “tagged.”  About 2 or 3 hours later, the tagged cells are returned to the patient through the same venous catheter.  The tagged cells are then given time to gather in areas of inflammation or infection.

Approximately 6 to 24 hours later the patient is scanned on a special table. The scanner looks like an x-ray machine.  It detects the radiation given off by the radioactive white blood cells and a computer converts the detected radiation into an image that can be viewed on a screen or recorded on film.

The scan takes about 1 or 2 hours. The scanner is usually located in a hospital, but often the test can be performed on an outpatient basis.  After the test is completed, no recovery time or special precautions are necessary.

2)  Identify active (or inactive) areas of bone growth :  Bone scans: here a radio-tagged molecule (the tracer), normally incorporated into any kind of bone growth, is injected into the patient and, two hours later, a scan is performed.   Both normal and abnormal areas of its incorporation reflect sites of activity or inactivity (bone growth, bone reaction, bone destruction, bone death) . Infection, metabolic disturbances, tumor growth, injury and loss of blood supply are the most common causes for abnormal tracer concentrations.  How is it done?   A nuclear bone scan is usually administered by a nuclear medicine technician with the help of the nursing staff.  They will simply inject a radioactive tracer substance into a vein in the patient’s arm. It is a simple, relatively painless procedure. The tracer substance is slightly radioactive, which will allow it to show up on the scanning device (camera) and help your doctor evaluate your condition. As the tracer substance circulates, it travels throughout the bloodstream, coming into contact with all the patient’s bones.  It usually takes 2 to 3 hours for it to fully circulate and interact, where needed/indicated.  During this time, you can relax, read a book, leave the premises, etc.