Name of the Procedure:

Common Name(s): Technetium Scan, Liver-Spleen Scan
Technical/Medical Term: Technetium Tc-99m Sulfur Colloid Diagnostic Scan

Summary

This procedure involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material, known as Technetium Tc-99m sulfur colloid, into a patient to help visualize and diagnose conditions within the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.

Purpose

The scan is primarily used to detect and assess disorders and abnormalities in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. It helps diagnose conditions like liver disease, spleen disorders, and bone marrow issues. The expected outcome is a detailed image that allows your doctor to identify potential problems and plan the best course of treatment.

Indications

• Symptoms like abdominal pain, jaundice, or unexplained anemia.
• Conditions such as cirrhosis, splenomegaly, or suspected bone marrow issues.
• Patients who have abnormal liver function tests or unexplained weight loss.

Preparation

• Usually, no special preparation is needed.
• Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking.
• You may need to fast for a few hours before the procedure.

Procedure Description

1. A small amount of Technetium Tc-99m sulfur colloid is injected into a vein.
2. The radiopharmaceutical material travels through your bloodstream and accumulates in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.
3. Using a special camera called a gamma camera, images are taken of the target areas.
4. The patient will need to lie still while the images are captured.
5. The procedure typically does not require anesthesia or sedation.

Duration

The entire procedure, including preparation and imaging, usually takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Setting

This procedure is typically performed in a hospital's nuclear medicine department or an outpatient diagnostic imaging center.

Personnel

• Nuclear medicine technologist
• Radiologist or nuclear medicine physician
• Nurse (if additional patient care is required)

Risks and Complications

• Allergic reaction to the radioactive material (rare).
• Slight risk of infection at the injection site.
• Minimal radiation exposure, considered safe for most patients.

Benefits

• Provides detailed images that are crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Helps in planning effective treatment strategies.
• Non-invasive with minimal discomfort.

Recovery

• Can usually resume normal activities immediately after the test.
• Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the radioactive material from your body.
• Follow any specific post-procedure instructions provided by your healthcare provider.
• Schedule follow-up appointments as recommended.

Alternatives

• Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI might be considered as alternatives.
• These alternatives may not provide the same level of detail for certain conditions.
• Pros and cons should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

Patient Experience

• You might experience a brief sting from the injection.
• You will need to lie still during the imaging process, which may cause minor discomfort.
• Pain is generally minimal, and the procedure is well-tolerated.
• After the procedure, normal activities can be resumed fairly quickly.