Nuclear Medicine

Imaging Associates offers advanced Nuclear Medicine services at our state-of-the-art radiology clinic in Wagga Wagga NSW.

What is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear Medicine scans each use a small amount of radioactive tracer to produce images. The radiation will gradually leave your body over the 12-24 hours following your examination.

We offer a comprehensive range of Nuclear Medicine scans at our Wagga Wagga clinic, including:

Nuclear Medicine Bone Scan

• A Bone Scan uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to produce images to assist in the evaluation of damage to bones or other causes of unexplained bone pain. The scan requires two appointments on the same day, and you will receive a small injection of radioactive tracer into your arm, which will be attracted to bones that are under repair.
• There is no preparation required and it will take approximately 5 hours.

Nuclear Medicine Cardiac Scan

• This scan produces images to evaluate the function of your heart and its muscles. You will be given an injection that contains a small amount of radioactive tracer, and the study contains two parts.
• You will be given specific instructions for preparation at the time of making a booking, as it is very important to not consume any food or any drinks which contain caffeine 36 hours prior to the test. The procedure will take approximately 5 hours.

Nuclear Medicine Gastric Emptying Scan

• A Gastric Emptying scan monitors the emptying of food from your stomach into your intestines. This scan can be used to diagnose reasons for ongoing nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea after a meal.
• You will be asked to eat a small meal, and this procedure will take approximately 1.5 – 2 hours. There is no injection required for this scan.

Nuclear Medicine Lung Scan

• A Lung Scan is a very sensitive examination that assists in the detection of blood clots in the lungs. Lung scans are considered an urgent appointment and should be done on the same day as your doctor requests the scan.
• You will be asked to inhale a gas which contains a small amount of radioactive tracer. This will then show the airflow to your lungs, and following this you will be given an injection containing another tracer to show the blood flow to your lungs.
• This scan will take approximately 60 minutes.

Nuclear Medicine Renal Scan

• This scan produces images that monitor the function of your kidneys and drainage system. This scan can be used to diagnose areas of damage or obstruction or detect a kidney-related cause for hypertension.
• You will be given an injection containing a small amount of a radioactive tracer which will allow your kidney function to be visualised. You may also be given an injection of a diuretic, a medicine to make your kidneys produce more urine. You will need to be well hydrated and the procedure will take approximately 35-60 minutes.

Nuclear Medicine Thyroid Scan

• A scan uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to produce images which monitor the function of your thyroid. This scan can be used to diagnose an over active or under active thyroid or to characterise the nature of small nodules or lumps on the thyroid.
• The test is usually performed with you lying on a scanner table on your back. You will be given an injection containing a small amount of radioactive tracer which will allow your thyroid function to be visualised. This procedure will take approximately 35-45 minutes, and it is important you haven’t had a CT scan in the 8 weeks prior to your scan.

How do I book a Nuclear Medicine scan near me?

Schedule a Nuclear Medicine scan by completing our booking form or calling Imaging Associates Wagga.

• Wagga Wagga NSW – Edward Street

Please note: Nuclear Medicine exams are only offered at Imaging Associates Wagga. In Victoria, Nuclear Medicine is offered at Maroondah Hospital, within the Eastern Health Network.

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What do you need to know?

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