Nuclear Medicine Scan

What is a nuclear medicine scan?

A nuclear medicine scan shows important details that help doctors learn how to treat your child’s illness. It involves taking pictures of places inside the body. To take these pictures, the medical team adds a small amount of a radioactive substance to your child's IV. For a short time, this substance gives off gamma rays. These rays can be seen and recorded by a nuclear medicine camera.

The radioactive substance will leave your child’s body within hours to a couple of days. The time it takes to leave the body depends on the type of substance used and the type of test performed. The scan is not harmful to your child.

Safety after the test

Even though the amount of radioactivity is very low, please follow these steps to safely care for your child after the scan:

• Wash your hands after changing a diaper or handling body fluids.
• Place soiled diapers in a separate trash can for 2 days before placing them in the regular trash. Some landfills can detect radiation. If your trash pickup is 2 or more days away, it is fine to place diapers in the trash.
• If you are pregnant, do not cuddle with your child for at least 24 hours after the scan. Also, your child should avoid direct contact with infants and toddlers until the next day.
• Your child may set off radiation alarms at airports, border crossings, and other places protected by Homeland Security for several days. Please tell your care team if you will pass through one of these areas. A care team member can give you written information about the test to show travel officials.

Learn more about Radiation Safety