After the scan, the patient should be able to continue with normal daily activities with no problems.
A scanning procedure in which a patient's white blood cells are first labeled with the radioactive substance indium, and then the patient's body is scanned as a way of tracking the white blood cells at the site of possible infection.
A nuclear medicine technologist withdraws about 50 ml. of blood. White blood cells are collected, exposed to indium, and reinjected by IV back into the patient. The scan is scheduled for between 18 and 24 hours after.
The scan should reveal no infection or pathology.
For the scan, the patient lies on a special scanning table, as either a single camera passing underneath the table or two cameras (one above the table and one underneath) are placed as close as possible to the body, slowly scanning the person's body.
An abnormal indium scan of the body may show increased uptake in certain areas, suggesting inflammation, infection, or tumor presence. It can also reveal decreased or absent uptake, indicating reduced blood flow or damaged tissue in that area. Additionally, abnormal distribution patterns of the radioactive tracer can signal underlying pathologies such as abscesses or arthritis.
There is generally no aftercare required following a gallium scan. However, women who are breastfeeding who have a scan will be cautioned against breastfeeding for four weeks following the exam.
A patient with heat cramps should rest until the body cools down. Heat cramps are an indicator of the body overheating and heat exhaustion could occur.
A cancer patient diet should be adjusted to provide protein in the range of 0.65 to 0.8gm/pound of body weight (or 1.43 to 1.76 gm/kg body weight).
The only risk during this scanning procedure could be to a patient who is pregnant, as with any type of injectable radioactive substance. If the woman is pregnant, the radiologist must be notified; if the scan is cleared.
Body lice should be looked for in the seams of the patient's clothing. Body lice is also found in birds.
When the patient's breathing and blood circulation are impaired, or when the patient has anemia (low levels of red blood cells), body tissues do not receive as much oxygen and energy. Consequently, the patient experiences a general sense of fatigue.
The procedure is used to detect inflammatory processes in the body such as infections. By labelling the leukocytes (white blood cells), radiologists or nuclear medicine specialists can then watch their migration toward an abscess or.