What is a brain scan?
A brain scan is done to check brain perfusion and function. The radioactive tracer will localize in areas of increased flow or be absent in areas of decreased flow.
What should I do to prepare for a brain scan?
There is no preparation for a brain scan.
There is a one and a half hour wait between the injection and the imaging.
What will happen during a brain scan and how will I get my results?
The patent will be injected intravenously with a small amount of radioactive tracer that is attached to a compound that is taken up by the brain tissue. The patient will return to the waiting room for 30 to 60 minutes. Then the patient will lie on a table. The head will be positioned to keep the head still and imaging will be done for 30 minutes. The gamma camera will move around the patient’s head taking images from many angles.
The physician who interprets the scan will send a report to your physician, who will then share the results with you.
What is a DaTscan to detect Parkinson's disease?
A DaTscan is performed to look at areas of the brain that may be affected by Parkinson’s disease. This study can determine if the patient’s symptoms are caused by Parkinson’s disease or some other neurological problem.
The material for this study is specifically ordered and requires 48 hours to order OR to cancel.
What should I do to prepare for a DaTscan?
Check with your physician about withholding medications before this study.
Medication for Parkinson’s disease may interfere with the study. This study takes more than four hours; much of the time spent waiting.
What will happen during a DaTscan and how will I get my results?
The patient will swallow Lugol’s solution to block uptake by the thyroid gland of the radioactive tracer. After one hour, the patient will be injected intravenously with a small amount of radioactive tracer. Then there is a three hour wait before imaging. The patient can leave the department during the waiting period. There are no side effects from the injection or the Lugol’s solution. Imaging is done lying on a table with your head taped to keep it in place.The study takes 30 minutes. The patient needs to stay still.
The physician who interprets the scan will send a report to your physician, who will then share the results with you.
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