Everything You Need To Know About Your Child’s Nuclear Medicine Scan

Thanks to medical imaging, physicians have had the ability to see inside the body using tests such as X-rays, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sometimes, they need to see more functional data than these are able to provide, which is when nuclear medicine may be used.

Nuclear medicine allows your child’s physician to see all the way down to the molecules in their body, which makes it possible to identify diseases, injuries, and infections at a very early stage. That way, they can be evaluated and treated as soon as possible.

Nuclear medicine uses a small amount of a radioactive tracer and a special camera to see the structures inside your child’s body and how they function. Before the scan, your child will receive a small amount of radioactive material, which may be injected, swallowed, or inhaled. Then, a camera takes images of the inside of your child’s body.

There are different types of nuclear medicine scans, including:

• A Mag 3 scan, which helps determine how well your child’s kidneys are functioning
• A HIDA scan, which helps determine how well your child’s gallbladder is functioning
• A Gastric Empty scan, which helps determine how well your child’s stomach is functioning
• A bone scan, which helps track several types of bone diseases
• A Meckel’s scan, which helps detect abnormally-located gastric mucosa (mucous membrane layer of the stomach)
• A DMSA scan, which helps evaluate the function, size, shape, and position of your child’s kidneys and detects scarring caused by frequent infections
• A pulmonary perfusion scan, which helps evaluate blood flow to your child’s lungs
• A thyroid uptake and scan, which helps evaluate the size, location, and overall functional level of your child’s thyroid gland

What Happens During A Nuclear Medicine Scan?

Knowing what to expect during a nuclear medicine scan can help prepare you and your child for the procedure. Each type of scan is different, but there are some similarities among all of them.

Before the scan, a child life specialist will meet with you and your child to help explain the procedure so your child can understand it, show you pictures of the camera and room the procedure will occur in, and help your child develop a positive coping plan.

For some nuclear scans, your child may need an IV inserted before. Scans that may require an IV include:

• Mag 3 scan
• HIDA scan
• Bone scan
• Meckel’s scan
• DMSA scan
• Pulmonary perfusion

If your child needs an IV, the nurse will place it before the exam. The steps of IV placement are:

1. Your child’s nurse will place a tourniquet (rubber band) on their arm, which will give your child’s arm a tight squeeze or hug.
2. The nurse will clean their skin with wet soap.
3. Your child will feel an initial poke to get the needle and straw in the right spot.
4. Once the straw is in the right spot, the nurse will remove the needle and only the straw will be left in your child’s vein
5. The nurse will cover the IV straw with tape in order to keep it in the right spot during your child’s scan.

Once the IV is in place (if applicable), you and your child will be taken to the nuclear medicine room where your child may be asked to change into a hospital gown and lie down on the bed. Two adults will be allowed to accompany your child to the exam room. If you’re pregnant, you will be unable to accompany your child due to the risks associated with radiation. If you’re planning on bringing other children with you, one adult will need to stay in the waiting area with them.

During all scans, your child will need to hold their body still in order to get clear pictures. Seatbelts are available if your child needs assistance in holding their body still. During imaging, your child can watch TV or pick a movie to watch.

Mag 3 Scan

During a Mag 3 scan, the following steps will occur:

1. Your child will have both an IV and catheter placed to complete this exam.
2. For the catheter placement, boys will lay flat on their back with straight legs. Girls will lie on their back making butterfly wings with their legs.
3. The nurse will clean your child’s opening where urine comes out (penis for boys and near the vagina for girls) with a cold, wet, brown soap on a cotton swab once, then will place lidocaine jelly (numbing gel) in the area. The lidocaine will sit for 3 minutes to take effect. Then, your child will be cleaned twice with cold, wet, brown soap before inserting the catheter.
4. When the catheter is being inserted, your child may feel an uncomfortable pinch-like feeling. Deep breathing can help reduce this sensation. Once the catheter is in the correct position, your child may feel like they need to go to the bathroom. This is a normal sensation that can be reduced with relaxation and distraction.
5. The RN will place small pieces of tape to keep the catheter in the correct spot for pictures.
6. The nuclear medicine technologist will explain the remainder of the exam.

HIDA Scan

During a HIDA scan, the following steps will occur:

1. Your child will receive a small amount of a radioactive tracer through their IV to start the test. This will not make them feel any different.
2. The scan will take approximately 2 hours to complete. The first hour is to watch the gallbladder fill, and the second hour is to see how it is functioning.
3. Your child will get one of two medications during the exam — sincalide or morphine — depending on what happens during the exam.

Gastric Empty Scan

During a gastric empty scan, the following steps will occur:

1. Your child will be asked to eat one scrambled egg — which contains a small amount of a radiotracer — and drink a small amount of water.
2. Gastric empty scans can be either 2 hours or 4 hours.

Bone Scan

During a bone scan, the following steps will occur:

1. Your child will receive a small amount of a radioactive tracer through their IV to start the test. This will not make them feel any different. Depending on the reason your child is having the exam, some images may be taken as the tracer is injected to look at blood flow to a specific area.
2. After the injection, your child will wait 3 hours before returning for imaging. They will have no restrictions, and they are allowed to leave the hospital. When they return, they will have approximately 1 hour of imaging.
3. A bone scan generally has no side effects, and no follow-up care is needed. The radioactivity from the tracers is usually completely eliminated two days after the scan.

Meckel’s Scan

During a Meckel’s scan, the following steps will occur:

1. Your child will receive a pretreatment of Zantac — a medicine that will help find a Meckel’s — through their IV for 20 mins, and imaging will begin 1 hour later.
2. Your child will receive a small amount of a radioactive tracer through their IV to start the test. This will not make them feel any different.
3. The scan will take approximately 1 hour to complete.

DMSA Scan

During a DMSA scan, the following steps will occur:

1. Your child will receive a small amount of a radioactive tracer through their IV to start the test. This will not make them feel any different.
2. After the injection, your child will wait 4 hours before returning for imaging. They will have no restrictions, and they are allowed to leave the hospital. When they return, they will have approximately 1 hour of imaging.

Pulmonary Perfusion Scan

During a pulmonary perfusion scan, the following steps will occur:

1. Your child will receive a small amount of a radioactive tracer through their IV to start the test. This will not make them feel any different.
2. After the injection, your child will have approximately 45 mins of imaging.

Thyroid Uptake and Scan

During a thyroid uptake and scan, the following steps will occur:

1. At your child’s first appointment, they will answer a questionnaire. They will also take a small amount of radioactive iodine in the form of a pill about the size of an Advil liquid gel.
2. Your child will return 4 hours later to take a measurement to determine how much of that iodine has made its way to their thyroid gland.
3. After 24 hours, your child will return to take another measurement and have approximately 1 hour of imaging.

How Can You Prepare And Support Your Child With Their Nuclear Medicine Scan?

It’s normal for your child to feel anxious about a nuclear medicine scan. However, there are ways you can help them feel safe and comfortable, such as:

• Using developmentally appropriate words to explain to your child what will happen.
• Brining a comforting item — such as a blanket or stuffed animal — for your child to have with them during their scan.
• Asking your physician, nurse, or child life specialist what pain management options are available for your child.
• During the procedure, providing support by holding their hand, validating their feelings, and engaging your child in distractions, such as looking at a book, playing a game, or watching a movie.
• Participating in One Voice, an initiative to promote a calming environment by limiting the number of voices in the room so your child knows who to focus on, such as a parent or procedural staff professional.
• Practicing deep breathing at home by pretending to blow out birthday candles or blowing bubbles.
• Displaying a calm demeanor — your child picks up on your anxiety and often mirrors it.
• Meet with one of our child life specialists — experts who can explain the procedure in child-friendly terms, and help you and your child understand what will happen at every stage of the scan

Do you have more questions related to your child’s nuclear medicine scan? Contact the Radiology Child Life Specialist at 402-955-4042 or the Radiology Department at 402-955-5602.

What To Do Next

For Patients

Your child will need an order from a provider to schedule a radiology procedure. Once the order is placed, call 402-955-6799 to schedule the procedure.

For Referring Providers

The Physicians’ Priority Line is your 24-hour link to pediatric specialists at Children’s for referrals, emergency and urgent consults, physician-to-physician consults, admissions, and transport services. Call 855-850-KIDS (5437).

Learn more about referring patients.