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Tests and Procedure Descriptions Date Updated: 06/25/2009



Department
Nuclear Medicine
Procedure/Test Name
Octreotide Scan
Procedure Overview/Details
This test is used to detect and determine the possible spread of neuroendocrine tumors (carcinoids, meningiomas, metastatic spread).
This test involves pretreatment with a mild laxative (dulcolax) to facilitate tracer clearance from the bowels and enhance the picture quality of the abdomen. You will be given an injection of a radioactive tracer into your vein. Pictures of the tracer after distribution will be taken 24, and 48 hours after the injection.

Preparation

  • Bring a list of all medications and supplements you take. This includes vitamins, herbal remedies, and holistic medications.
  • Any of these procedures is subject to change according to the nuclear medicine physician. The duration of the tests is a rough estimate. Please be aware that the time may be lengthened if a scan has to be repeated, if emergency cases are brought to the department or due to unforeseen circumstances.

    About the Procedure
    Initial visit - 15 minutes.
    Pictures - two hours per day 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours after tracer injection.

    • A technologist will briefly explain the test to you and try to answer any questions you may have about the procedure.
    • A technologist will ask you a few questions about your medical history and medications.
    • You will be given an injection of a radioactive tracer into a vein.
    • You will come back for pictures 24, 48 and possibly 72 hours after the tracer injection.
    • The technologist will ask you to lie on a bed, and will place the camera above you.
    • A picture will be taken from head to toe for 50 to 60 minutes.
    • If additional pictures are required, the cameras will then rotate around your body slowly taking a thre
Preparation
You will need to take 1 Dulcolax tablet the day before your injection.
You will need to take 1 Dulcolax tablet the day of your injection.
You will need to take 1 Dulcolax table the day after your injection.
After Procedure Instructions
There are no special instructions following your procedure.
Directions for Departments
Directions from PARKING RAMP (Preferred Entrance):
Enter the six story parking ramp on College Avenue. No matter where you park, take the elevator to the third floor. Once on the third floor, you can enter the Robert C. Neldberg building using the large set of automatic doors. Once in the building, continue walking down the hallway until you reach the enclosed skywalk that will take you across the street. Cross College Avenue by this skywalk and turn left at the first hallway. Take the elevators “R,S,T” to the first floor. Proceed straight to the first hallway and turn left. Radiology office window is on your right.


Directions from PARKING LOT A:
Park in Parking Lot A (the parking lot which is to the east of the Robert C. Neldberg building, 580 W. College Avenue). Directly across the street is the “East Entrance”, this is labeled by a brown and white sign. Enter through the East Entrance and go to the main doors directly in front of you. Once in the hallway, take a right. Go all the way to the end of this hallway, and then take a left. Continue down this hallway until you reach the elevators labeled G&H on your right hand side. Take these elevators up one floor to the first floor. Radiology is on your left. Check in at the Radiology office window.