Scintigraphy is an isotope study. By using isotopes (i.e. atoms of the same chemical element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons), nuclear medicine specialists look into, among others, heart, bones, kidneys, liver, lungs, and even the brain.
Thanks toscintigraphythe size, shape and position of a specific organ, as well as its functioning, are assessed. It is aisotope test - it means that at the beginning you get a small dose of radioactive isotopes (so-called radiotracers) intravenously (less often orally or inhaled). The dose is determined by the doctor, taking into account e.g. your weight. Scintigraphy is performed only on the recommendation of a doctor. Depending on the organ under examination, it takes minutes, several hours, sometimes several days.
Scintigraphy: what are radioactive isotopes?
Radioisotopes used in scintigraphic examinations emit gamma radiation. The dose you have absorbed is absolutely safe for your he alth - it is not greater than the dose you get during X-ray examinations. In addition,isotopesused in radioisotope diagnostics decay quickly and are excreted from the body.
What does the scintigraphy look like?
You don't need to prepare yourself for most of the isotope research. Usually, you do not need to be on an empty stomach - the exception is, for example, cholescintigraphy (evaluation of the bile ducts). Young children are most often given a sedative so that they do not move too much during the test.
Some tests are performed immediately after the radiotracer is given. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to wait (in the case of the thyroid gland - approx. 15 minutes, liver - approx. 20 minutes, bones - approx. 3 hours) for the assessed organ to absorb it. You are then placed in front of a special device called a gamma camera. Scintigraphy is performed in various positions, usually lying down, sometimes standing or sitting. You do not need to undress for the isotope test, but you need to get rid of metal objects, e.g. coins from pockets, belt with a buckle or jewelry.
Sometimes the whole body is tested. Then you lie down on a special, movable bed. It slowly moves forward so that you are "filmed" with gamma camera from head to toe. Special sensors ensure that the appropriate distance is keptgamma cameras from the body. As you breathe, the camera head also rises and falls slightly with each breath you take.
A special crystal is placed in the gamma camera head, which captures the radiation emitted by the examined organ after absorbing the radioisotope. The program installed in the computer connected to the gamma camera transforms the data from the head into an image of the organ visible also on the monitor. The scintigraphy result is saved in the computer memory. The doctor receives a printout of the photos with a detailed description. For example, if there are cancerous metastases, the printout shows the entire figure - the outline of the body and a clear image of the skeletal system with visible points showing where the metastases occurred.
Scintigraphy - after the examination
You generally don't need to stay in hospital after the examination. You should drink approx. 1.5 liters of water, tea or juice to excrete the entire radioisotope along with the urine as soon as possible.
There are no contraindications for scintigraphy. You just can't do it in case you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, if you are of childbearing age, you should do this test in the first ten days of your cycle. This way you will avoid the risk of radiation in a very early pregnancy that you do not know exist yet.