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
Guelph General Hospital
115 Delphi St
Guelph ON N1E 4J4
Kitchener Waterloo Regional Nuclear Medicine (Main Site)
St. Mary's General Hospital
911 Queen's Blvd
Kitchener ON N2M 1B2
Kitchener Waterloo Regional Nuclear Medicine (Satellite Site)
Grand River Hospital
835 King St W
Kitchener ON N2G 1G3