Discover unparalleled diagnostic accuracy and compassionate care with Apex Radiology’s Renal Scan services, leading the way in providing comprehensive insights into your kidney health.
Nuclear Medicine is a branch of diagnostic imaging that examines the function of many organs and body systems, including the kidneys.
A nuclear renal scan examines the blood flow and function of the kidneys using a small amount of a radioactive chemical (tracer or radiopharmaceutical) that is injected into an arm vein. A gamma camera placed over the kidneys images or maps the pattern of tracer passing through the kidneys, giving information useful in diagnosing conditions such as obstruction, low or uneven function, scarring and bladder reflux.
A renal perfusion study or renogram examines the blood flow and function of the kidneys using a small amount of a radioactive chemical (called tracers, radiopharmaceuticals or DTPA) that is injected into an arm vein. A gamma camera placed over the kidneys then maps or takes images of the pattern of the tracer passing through the kidneys, giving information useful in diagnosing conditions such as low or uneven function, malformations and obstructions.
What to bring
Preparation
When you attend your appointment at Apex Radiology you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown. The technologist will explain the scanning procedure then position you for the scan. The radioactive tracer will then be injected into an arm vein. Imaging starts immediately, and you may breathe normally but must try not to move. Initial imaging takes 20 to 30 minutes. Further images may be needed, very occasionally up to two hours later.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. In some procedures, it rotates around the body while acquiring images. You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scanning process.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations. Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are kept in line with the Dose Reference Levels (DRLs) published and recommended by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination. If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
For further information regarding radiation safety please visit: https://www.insideradiology.com.au/radiation-risk/
At Apex Radiology your stress test procedure will be carried out by a Nuclear Medicine Technologist who has a degree in Medical Radiation Science and is accredited by the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA).
Your images will be reviewed along with your relevant medical history, and any other imaging, and be reported by our Nuclear Medicine credentialed radiologist or Nuclear Medicine physician (a medical doctor specialising in the interpretation of Nuclear Medicine studies).
Little of the radioactive tracer remains in the body after a renal scan, most of the radiotracer is excreted through the kidneys and bladder.
You can resume your normal activities immediately after the procedure is completed.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Apex Radiology will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
A nuclear renal scan examines the blood flow and function of the kidneys using a Radiopharmaceutical (also called tracers or DTPA). This is a small amount of a radioactive chemical that is injected into an arm vein. A gamma camera placed over the kidneys then maps or takes images of the pattern of tracer passing through the kidneys, giving information useful in diagnosing conditions such as obstruction.
If there is any possibility of obstruction in the urinary system, an injection of Lasix may be given after the first 20 to 30 minutes of imaging to temporarily increase the kidneys’ function, and allow further imaging to confirm how quickly the kidneys “wash out”.
What to bring
Preparation
When you attend your appointment at Apex Radiology you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown. The technologist will explain the scanning procedure and position you for the scan. The radioactive tracer will then be injected into an arm vein using an intravenous cannula. Imaging starts immediately, and you may breathe normally but must try not to move. Initial imaging takes 20 to 30 minutes.
If needed, Lasix will be injected, again using the cannula. A second set of images will be obtained, taking around 20 minutes. You will then be asked to empty your bladder before a further short scan. Further images may be needed, very occasionally up to two hours later. The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. In some procedures, it rotates around the body while acquiring images. You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scanning process.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations. Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Apex Radiology you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination. If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
For further information regarding radiation safety please visit: https://www.insideradiology.com.au/radiation-risk/
At Apex Radiology your examination will be carried out by a Nuclear Medicine Technologist who has a degree Medical Radiations and is accredited by the ANZSNM. Your images will be reviewed along with your relevant medical history, and any other imaging, and be reported by our Nuclear Medicine physician (a medical doctor specialising in the interpretation of Nuclear Medicine studies).
After the images are checked, you may leave immediately. The radioactive tracer will decay over time and the body will eliminate any residue through the kidneys and bowel and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Apex Radiology will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 72 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
A nuclear renal scan examines the blood flow and function of the kidneys using a small amount of a radioactive chemical (tracers, radiopharmaceuticals or DMSA) that is injected into an arm vein. A gamma camera placed over the kidneys images or maps the pattern of tracer passing through the kidneys, giving information useful in diagnosing conditions such as obstruction, low or uneven function and scarring.
What to bring
Preparation
When you attend your appointment at Apex Radiology you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown. The technologist will explain the procedure to you and inject the tracer into an arm vein. You will then be free to leave and return at the time which you will be advised, which will be 90 minutes to 3 hours after the injection. There are no restrictions on your activities during this time unless instructed.
On return, the technologist will explain and position you for the scan. You may breathe normally, but must try not to move.
The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which sits close to the area being examined. In this procedure it rotates around the body while acquiring images (SPECT). You will experience no unusual sensations or discomfort from the scanning process.
The images may be combined with a low dose CT scan done at the same time on the same scanner. This SPECT/CT improves the accuracy of the information, and adds only a few minutes to the procedure time.
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations. Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Apex Radiology you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Nuclear Medicine study you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination. If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination.
For further information regarding radiation safety please visit: https://www.insideradiology.com.au/radiation-risk/
At Apex Radiology your examination will be carried out by a Nuclear Medicine Technologist who has a degree Medical Radiations and is accredited by the ANZSNM.
Your images will be reviewed along with your relevant medical history, and any other imaging, and be reported by our Nuclear Medicine credentialed radiologist or Nuclear Medicine physician (a medical doctor specialising in the interpretation of Nuclear Medicine studies).
The radioactive tracer will decay over time and the body will eliminate any residue through the kidneys and bowel and you are free to resume normal activities. If you are caring for a small child, or breastfeeding, we may ask you to take some minor precautions.
If your results are needed urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider, Apex Radiology will arrange to have your results available immediately. Otherwise your referring doctor or health care provider will receive your report within 48 hours of your examination.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Apex Radiology
Head Office
U3, 290 Pinjarra Road
MANDURAH, WA 6210
+61 8 9726 6900
