Author: rad40

Can the patient take any steps to protect against radiation?
If you have had a nuclear medicine scan in the recent past inform the staff member to ensure that tests are not duplicated unnecessarily.
The following precautions need to be observed for 24 hours after your bone scan: Patients should drink plenty of fluids and empty their bladders frequently. This helps to clear the injected material from the body. Patients should observe careful hygiene when going to the toilet during this period. It is advisable to flush the toilet twice after use.
It is recommended that patients avoid spending long periods of time (in excess of 30 mins) in close contact with young children or pregnant women.
If you are a nursing mother express and discard the breast milk for 24 hours after your injection. You may resume normal breast-feeding after this time.
Important information
Young children and pregnant women should not accompany patients to Nuclear medicine.
If there is any chance you may be pregnant, please inform the nuclear medicine department prior to your appointment. 01 809 2792

Directions (Beaumont Hospital)
The Nuclear Medicine department is located in the radiology department, on the lower ground floor of the hospital. Please check in at the main x-ray reception desk on arrival.
Who do I contact if I am unable to attend?
Please contact 01 809 2792 if you wish to reschedule your appointment
Nuclear Medicine
Radiology Department
Beaumont Hospital
Dublin 9.
Tel: 01 809 2792
Fax:(01) 8092576
Web site: www.beaumont.ie

Date Issued: August 2021
Review date: August 2023
Author(s): Radiography Management Team
Approved by: Imaging and Interventional Radiology Directorate Team

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Beaumont Hospital
Imaging and Interventional Radiology
Directorate
PARATHYROID SCAN
Patient Information

Welcome to the
Nuclear Medicine
Department

Introduction
A Nuclear Medicine parathyroid scan has been requested for you and this leaflet explains what the scan involves and what you need to do to prepare for your scan.
What is radiation?
Radiation is a form of electrical and magnetic disturbance that transports energy. For example it is radiation that brings energy to us from the sun.
What is a Nuclear Medicine Parathyroid Scan?
In the nuclear medicine dept you will be injected with a small amount of a radioactive ‘tracer’ or isotope which travels to the bones. It takes approximately 15 minutes for the isotope to accumulate in the parathyroid gland. After this length of time pictures are taken with a gamma camera.
What is a gamma camera?
A gamma camera detects radiation coming from your body and forms a picture using sophisticated computer programmes. The camera consists of a flat detector which passes over the head and neck area.

Do I need to prepare for the scan?
You may eat and drink normally beforehand.
How will the injection affect me?
You should not feel any different after your injection. The procedure will not affect your ability to drive and you do not need someone to accompany you unless you so wish.
What will happen during the scan?
After your injection you will be asked to return to the nuclear medicine department 15 minutes later for your first scan. This scan will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. One hour after your injection you will have your second scan, this will also take 15 minutes. Two hours after your injection you will have the final scan which will take 40 minutes to complete.
You will not need to undress for your scan but you will be asked to remove metal objects from your neck region prior to the scan. Your scan will be done lying down on the gamma camera.

Will I receive much radiation?
No. The amount of radiation you receive is very small and the risks are low. The radiation dose you receive from this scan is similar to that which you would receive from your environment over a period of 1 to 2 years. Your doctor will have weighed the benefit of improved diagnosis of your condition against the small risk of the radiation exposure.
How does a nuclear medicine scan differ from an X-ray?
Nuclear Medicine patients are administered substances that emit radiation and which enable staff to investigate processes that are happening in the patient’s body. The amount of radiation is similar to that used in X-ray. In Nuclear Medicine the patient is emitting radiation for a period after the substance is administered. For parathyroid scans the radiation can remain in the body for up to 24 hours. Your radiographer will advise you on the precautions you will need to apply after your parathyroidscan. These precautions should be followed for 24 hours after your scan.