For all tests listed
there are no major
side effects and there
are no restrictions on
driving or contact
with others.
Bone Scan
Allow 3 hours as there is a 2 hour break between the injection and the imaging. During that time there are no restrictions and you do not need to stay in the department.
No preparation required – You may eat, drink and
dress normally.
Continue to take your normal medications.
Bring any previous bone scans or recent x-rays.
Myocardial Perfusion Study
Allow 3 hours for the scan to be completed.
No caffeine (tea, coffee, cola or chocolate) for 24 hours prior to the test.
Certain medications may need to be stopped – please consult your doctor or ring the department at least 48 hours prior to the test.
If you are a diabetic, consult your doctor or ring the department at least 48 hours prior to the test.
No food for 3 hours before the test, but you can continue to drink water until the time of the test.
Dress comfortably and wear comfortable footwear as you may need to exercise.
Lung Scan
Allow 1 hour.
No preparation required – You may eat, drink and dress normally.
Bring a recent chest x-ray if available.
Renal Scan
Allow 2 hours
You need to be well hydrated – please drink 2-3 glasses of fluid about 1-2 hours before the test. You do not need to keep this fluid in your bladder and you can pass urine normally. You do not need to fast.
If you are having the scan because of high blood pressure, you may need to stop some medications – please consult your doctor or the department at least 48 hours prior to the tests.
Thyroid Scan
Allow 1 hour
No preparation required – you may eat, drink and dress normally.
Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
Allow 30 minutes
No preparation required – you may eat, drink and
dress normally.
CT Cardiovascular Angiography (CTCA)
No caffeine (tea, coffee, cola, chocolate, milo, sports drinks or energy drinks) before the scan.
No smoking or alcohol for 12 hours before the scan.
Fast from solid food for 4 hours before the scan, sips of water may continue to the scan.
No Viagra for 24 hours before the scan
No physical exertion on the day of the scan.
No Metformin/Diaformin/Glucophage/Diabex (particular types of diabetes medication) on the day of the scan and for 48 hours after the scan
It takes one hour to prepare for the scan. The scan itself only takes a few minutes to perform. After the scan you will be monitored for 30 minutes. Thus you will be in the nuclear medicine department for around 2 hours in total.
You are not allowed to drive for 4 hours after the procedure, so please ensure someone can pick you up after the scan from St. George Hospital. Please ask for a medicial certificate if required.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Allow 3 hours
No food for 6 hours before the test, but you can continue to drink water until the time of the test.
If you are a diabetic, consult your doctor or ring the department at least 48 hours prior to the test.
