FAQ - NM
Q: Are there any side effects after a Nuclear Medicine examination?
A: Nuclear Medicine examinations involve injection of radioactive isotope. The radiation dose is small and will not affect your body function or cause discomfort during the procedure. Besides, the residual radiation inside your body will diminish through natural half-life decay. You will be encouraged to drink plenty of water after the examination to facilitate the excretion of radioactivity. You can get rid of radiation usually within a few hours. You can then resume all daily activities. Avoidance of unnecessary contact with pregnant women and infants on the day of examination is suggested.
Q: Can I have NM scan if I am PREGNANT?
A: Pregnancy is relatively contraindicated. Please consult our staff if you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
Q: Can I have NM scan if I am BREAST-FEEDING?
A: Breast-feeding mother may be requested to stop breast-feeding within 48 hours after the examination. Please consult our staff for the precautions of different studies.
Q: Do I need to provide a requisition form from my doctor for NM scan?
A: Yes, a requisition form signed by your doctor will provide us with your necessary clinical information; and we will tailor the examination accordingly.
Q: Why do you need my previous X-Ray, CT, MRI and other imaging scans?
A: The more information that our radiologist has when he reviews your study, the more specific the interpretation will be. Correlations with other studies are often helpful.
Q: How will I get the NM examination results?
A: After the NM examination, our radiologist will interpret your scan and issue an imaging report to your doctor who will then explain the findings and diagnosis to you.