Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine is one of the most rapidly evolving medical specialisations; procedures carried out are relevant to oncology, cardiology/ vascular, urology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and neurology, all areas of key medical priority. The work environment within this unit is both challenging and stimulating, fulfilling its remit in the development of SPECT and multi-modality imaging as investigative tools particularly in the field of oncology. The clinical service undertakes some 2000+ studies per annum on a single site, with an installed equipment base including one SPECT/CT system, and a DXA bone densitometry system.

We perform a wide range of routine in-patient and out-patient radionuclide diagnostic procedures including lung perfusion & ventilation, bone, renal, biliary system, Meckel’s, infection/ inflammation, thyroid/ parathyroid, lymph node imaging, sentinel node (breast) probe studies, gastric motility and bile salt absorption studies, and lacrimal drainage.

Please book in at the Imaging Reception, the staff know you have arrived and will take you to the waiting area.

You will receive a letter and a leaflet this will include all the information you will need for your appointment. If the letter includes instructions to call to the department to confirm attendance, please do so as soon as possible. Should you have any queries, please contact the Nuclear Medicine Department.

A radioactive tracer, called a radiopharmaceutical, will be administered to you, which settles in certain areas of your body. Then a gamma camera is be used to take images of the radioactive tracer where it has settled. Sometimes, a CT scan is undertaken alongside the Nuclear Medicine scan to provide more information and allow for more accurate reporting. Occasionally this will also involve an injection of CT contrast.

Appointments are offered only Monday to Friday 8.45 to 17.00. Some appointments may require several visits, if you need to make any changes to your appointment please contact us with as much notice as possible.

Scans are often undertaken on children, predominantly to investigate problems with the renal system, (kidneys, ureters and bladder).

The amount of radiation given to children is reduced according to the child’s weight, and as low as is practicable.

To assist in the cannulation and scanning, please bring suitable items to help with distraction e.g., iPad / phone; they will be able to watch videos whilst being scanned.

Please contact the department if you know that blood tests and injections have been problematic in the past for your child.