Extremity & Soft Tissue Ultrasound
What does a patient need to do to prepare for an extremity or soft tissue ultrasound exam?
No special preparation is required for an ultrasound of the extremity (arm/leg) or soft tissues.
Abdominal Ultrasound
What does a patient need to do to prepare for an abdominal ultrasound exam?
Radioactive Iodine Therapy
What is Radioactive Iodine Therapy?
There are two thyroid therapy procedures. Radioactive iodine is used because iodine has an affinity for the thyroid. Thyroid therapy for an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) is a titrated amount of radioactive iodine given to specifically destroy some of the thyroid gland. The hope is that the patient will no longer need thyroid medication after the therapy.
Thyroid Uptake and Scan
What is a thyroid uptake and scan?
A thyroid uptake and scan is done to assess function and size of the thyroid gland.
Renal Scan (Renogram)
What is a Renogram?
A renogram is a nuclear medicine study performed to evaluate kidney function.
What should I do to prepare for my exam?
Empty your bladder before the study begins.
Red Cell Mass Study
What is a Red Cell Mass Study?
A red cell mass study is performed to see if the patient has too many red cells. This is a blood test, and no imaging is done.
What should I do to prepare for my study?
There is no special preparation for this study.
Parathyroid Scan
What is a parathyroid scan?
A parathyroid scan is performed to look for parathyroid adenomas.
What should I do to prepare for my scan?
There is no advance preparation for a parathyroid scan.
Octreoscan Study
What is an octreoscan study?
An octreoscan study is performed to look for a neuroendocrine tumor.
What should I do to prepare for my study?
If you take octreotide, stop for 24 hours. The radiotracer is specifically ordered for the patient and must be ordered 48 hours in advance.
Meckel’s Diverticulum Scan
What is a Meckel’s diverticulum scan?
A Meckel’s diverticulum scan is performed to look for a Meckel’s Diverticulum, which is an abnormality in the intestine and could be a source of bleeding in the intestine.
Lymphatic Imaging
What is lymphatic imaging?
Lymphatic Imaging is done to locate lymph nodes.
What should I do to prepare for my exam?
There is no special preparation for this study.