Springhill Medical Center offers a newly renovated Nuclear Medicine department designed with modern design and panoramic views of Dauphin Street and the surrounding Mobile area. We offer state of the art Siemens Gamma cameras utilizing the latest Siemens software to produce outstanding image quality that improves lesion detection and characterization. Our new Evo Excel camera offers a 30% larger bore and shorter tunnel length that can accommodate large or claustrophobic patients with a more comfortable, quicker scan.
What is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose or treat a variety of diseases, including many types of cancers, heart disease and certain other abnormalities within the body.
For more information about this and all radiology specialties, including information about radiation safety and concerns, please visit this website RadiologyInfo.org.
See a slideshow of our office, below.
Preparation
IMPORTANT: You should ALWAYS check with your doctor before stopping any of your medications.
Myocardial Perfusion ( Cardiolite Nuclear Stress Test)
Prep: No caffeine for 24 hours prior to exam. Stop taking theophylline and Beta blockers for 24 hours prior to exam (ask your doctor before stopping any medications). Nothing to eat or drink for 4-6 hours prior to your exam. Wear comfortable clothing/shoes.
Notes: length of test 2-3 hours
Cardiolite/Stress (treadmill)
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your exam. No caffeine products (coffee tea, chocolate) for 24 hrs before your appointment. Ask your Dr. about your medications. Wear comfortable clothing/shoes.
Cardiolite/Dobutamine
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your exam. No caffeine products (coffee tea, chocolate) for 24 hrs before your appointment. Wear comfortable clothing/shoes.
Cardiolite/Persantine
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your exam. No caffeine products (coffee tea, chocolate) for 24 hrs before your appointment. Wear comfortable clothing/shoes.
Gallium Scan
Prep: None
Notes: You will receive an injection and then you will return after two or possibly three days for scanning. Your scan appointment will take approximately 1 hour.
Gastric Empty
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink 4 to 6 hours before your exam. No Opiates 8 hours prior to exam.
HIDA Scan: NM – PIPIDA or Biliary Scan
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink 4 to 6 hours prior to your exam.
Notes: Length of test is 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Thyroid Scan Only: NO PREP
No Prep
Thyroid uptake & Scan
Thyroid uptake & Scan: Patients should be off thyroid medications for 4 weeks prior to test (at physician’s discretion).
Pt should not have had IV contrast for 8 weeks prior to test.
Avoid foods with high levels of iodine.
Lung (V/Q): NM-Lung Perfusion with ventilation
Prep: None
Notes: Length of test is one hour.
MAG3 Renal Scan/LASIX RENAL SCAN
Prep: Drink extra fluids 1 to 2 hours prior to your exam. You may use the bathroom at any time before your exam.
Length of test is 1 hour.
WBC-White Blood Cell Scan/Tagged WBC
No prep.
This test will require 3 visits the same day. The initial visit will take approximately 20 minutes for drawing blood, which is sent to our nuclear pharmacy to isolate your white blood cells. You will come back 2-3hours later for re-injection of your white blood cells, which should take 10 minutes. You will return for a final visit 2 hours later for the scan itself. Your scan will take approximately 30-45 minutes.
Whole Body Bone Scan/ Triple Phase Bone Scan
Prep: None. Cannot be performed on the same day as a bone density scan.
Notes: This exam is a two-part visit. Your initial visit will be approximately 10-15 minutes, to receive the injection. You will then return in 2-4 hours for scanning. The scanning part will take approximately 30-60 minutes.
Must wait a minimum of 48 hours after a Stress or Bone Scan before scheduling other Nuclear exams. Any other Nuclear studies must be 24 hours apart.
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location
For all Nuclear Medicine scans, you should report to Outpatient Admitting, which is located on the 4th floor of the heart building (Same building as Cardiology Associates). You should arrive ½ hour prior to your scheduled appointment. You will be directed to the Admissions Clerk for registration and then to the Nuclear Medicine Department.
Contact Us
For any questions or problems, please call Nuclear Medicine at 251.460.5478 or the main Radiology department after hours at 251.460.5388.
To schedule an exam, please call Central Scheduling at 251.460.5362.
We look forward to the opportunity to provide you and your family with quality care and compassion!
