Nuclear Medicine

Overview

Nuclear Medicine refers to the medical use of radioactive substances for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Nuclear Medicine tests often provide information on how and organ or system works rather than just how it looks, as in many other imaging modalities.

It is a rapidly evolving medical imaging specialisation. At the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, there are two scanners, one SPECT / CT system and a dedicated Cardiac Gamma Camera.

Studies undertaken assist in diagnosis of many conditions relevant to oncology, cardiology, urology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and neurology, all areas of key medical priority.

We perform a wide range of routine in-patient and out-patient radionuclide diagnostic procedures including lung perfusion & ventilation, bone, renal, biliary system, Meckel’s, infection/ inflammation, thyroid/ parathyroid, lymph node imaging, sentinel node (breast) localisation studies, gastric motility and bile salt absorption studies, lacrimal drainage.

Our cardiology service includes Myocardial perfusion Imaging and investigation of Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Nuclear Medicine scanner

Please book in at the Imaging Reception before coming to wait in the Nuclear Medicine waiting room. This will ensure that the staff know you have arrived.

You will receive a letter and a leaflet with all the information and preparation you will need for your appointment. The procedure will also be fully explained to you when you attend. If the letter includes instructions to call to the department to confirm attendance, please do so as soon as possible. Should you have any queries, please contact the Nuclear Medicine Department; we are happy to provide additional information.

For most scans you will not be required to undress, so please ensure that you wear comfortable clothing, with few metal fastenings.

A radioactive tracer, called a radiopharmaceutical, will be administered to you, which settles in certain areas of your body. Then a gamma camera is be used to take images of the radioactive tracer where it has settled. Sometimes, a CT scan is undertaken alongside the Nuclear Medicine scan to provide more information and allow for more accurate reporting. Occasionally this will also involve an injection of CT contrast.

The radiation doses are kept as low as possible and your doctor will have considered the risk and benefits of having the test before referring you to us. The benefits of having the scan outweigh any potential risks, as your safety is our priority.

The results will not be available on the day: the scans will be read by a specialist doctor (a radiologist), and sent to the doctor who requested the examination.

Are offered on weekdays only Monday to Friday, 8.30 – 17.00.

Some studies are undertaken on specific days and times, to allow for efficient use of the radioactive tracer. Some studies take many hours, or several visits and specialist tracers are ordered specifically so if you need to change your appointment, please do so with as much notice as possible.

Waiting times for all diagnostic services are high. We are trying to reduce our waiting lists wherever possible and are using some outsourced companies to assist with this. Please check your appointment letters very carefully to ensure you attend to the correct location. We strive to meet all are urgent appointments and 2-week wait pathways and more information can be found in our Patient Access Policy.

Scans are often undertaken on children, predominantly to investigate problems with the renal system, (kidneys, ureters and bladder).

The amount of radiation given to children is reduced according to the child’s weight, and as low as is practicable.

To assist in the cannulation and scanning, please bring suitable items to help with distraction e.g., iPad / phone; they will be able to watch videos whilst being scanned.

Please contact the department if you know that blood tests and injections have been problematic in the past for your child.

Phone number: 01582 497485 / 718231

Monday–Friday 8:30am to 5pm