Nuclear Med offers a wide variety of studies. The majority of studies require the patient to be injected with a radioactive isotope.
Depending on the study there might be a waiting time before the scan (allowing the isotope enough time to gather in the particular study site). The patient will then be scanned at least once, depending on the study. Please note: a number of the appointment will require patients to return to Nuclear Med repeatedly for up to two days. Please familiarise yourself with the requirements as the radioactive isotopes have sepcific window periods in which they can be scanned
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Gallium Whole Body - Imported
Preparation for the scan is required. Please contact our practice.
Gallium uptake is non-specific and is observed at sites of chronic infection, inflammation and in many tumours. Imaging generally takes place 48 hours after Gallium administration and may be repeated on subsequent days. Unfortunately, some Gallium is excreted by the colon and this renders uptake observed in the bowel difficult to interpret.
Used to diagnose:
Suspected infectionTumoursHodgkin's or Non-Hodgkin's LymphomaPUOClinical suspicion of focal infection but with no localising signDifferential diagnosis of osteomyelitisLoosening of joint prosthesesChest infectionsAbscess localisationPatients with HIV suspected of having PCPKaposi's sarcomaNon-specific tumours
Patients will need to be referred to Nuclear Med by a referring doctor. Patients must select the specific scan/study required by their referring doctor and book an appointment at the most convenient location.
Checklist:
Medical aid authorisation (referring doctor to provide patient with specific ICD 10 code for medical aid authorisation)
Referring doctor’s name and practice number
Newly diagnosed oncology patients may need to register for oncology (referring doctor to facilitate registration)