Nuclear Medicine

Test preparation will vary according to the type of study.  If you have questions it is better to contact the testing location directly as they will have the most up to date information.  

 

Test preparations:

Do not wear any perfumes or apply creams with strong fragrance prior to your appointment.

You must bring your Ontario Health Card to your appointment.

Patients must be able to consent to the procedure. If language is a barrier, please bring an interpreter.

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please give the testing location at least 24 hours' notice to avoid late cancellation/no show fees.

If your test is not listed below, there is no extra preparation.  

Type of Study Patient Preparation Expected Time   Visit Detail
BONE No preparation 1st Visit: 15 Minutes  1st visit: Injection
2nd visit: 1 hour 2nd visit 2-4 hours later: Imaging
BRAIN Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before test 2-4 hours Injection upon arrival followed by imaging
GALLIUM No preparation 1st Visit: 15 Minutes 1st visit: Injection
2nd visit: 1-2 hours 2nd visit: Imaging
GASTRIC EMPTYING (GET) Nothing to eat or drink after midnight 4 hours Provided a standardized meal and imaging up to 4 hours.
Notify department if you have an allergy to eggs, food restrictions or are Type I diabetic
Diabetic patients, bring insulin and glucose monitor
Check with your doctor about stopping medications
LIVER & SPLEEN SCAN No preparation 45 minutes Injection upon arrival followed by imaging
LUNG SCAN (V/Q) Need recent CXR 24-48 hours prior to lung scan (GGH only) 1 hour Imaging immediately
MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION  Please refer to separate listing of instructions provided by your physician  1st Visit: 15 Minutes Please refer to separate listing of instructions provided by your physician 
2nd visit: 1-2 hours
PARATHYROID No preparation  Up to 4 hours  Injection upon arrival 
1st imaging at 15 minutes
2nd imaging at 3-4 hours
RENAL DIURETIC Drink 3-4 glasses of fluids/water prior to test  1 hour Injection upon arrival followed by Imaging
RENAL with CAPTOPRIL Check with your doctor about stopping medications 1st visit: 2 hours Oral Captopril given upon arrival Injection at 1 hour followed by imaging
Drink 3-4 glasses of fluids/water prior to test 2nd visit: 45 minutes may be required based on results of 1st visit
No food 4 hours prior to test
Bring a list of medications
SALIVARY No preparation 1 hour Injection upon arrival followed by imaging
SENTINEL NODE No preparation 2 hours Injection upon arrival followed by imaging
THYROID UPTAKE AND SCAN Check with your doctor about stopping medications 1st visit: 15 minutes 1st visit: Pill ingestion
No CT contrast for 30 days prior to test 2nd visit: 45 minutes 2nd visit: Injection upon arival followed by imaging
WALL MOTION (MUGA) No preparation 1.5 hours Injection upon arrival followed by imaging

 

Testing locations:

Cambridge Memorial Hospital

700 Coronation Blvd

Cambridge ON N1R 3G2

www.cmh.org

 

Guelph General Hospital

115 Delphi St

Guelph ON N1E 4J4

www.gghorg.ca

 

Kitchener Waterloo Regional Nuclear Medicine (Main Site)

St. Mary's General Hospital

911 Queen's Blvd

Kitchener ON N2M 1B2

www.smgh.ca

 

Kitchener Waterloo Regional Nuclear Medicine (Satellite Site)

Grand River Hospital

835 King St W

Kitchener ON N2G 1G3

www.grhosp.on.ca