This test normally takes about 30 minutes.
Myelocytes are immature white blood cells that are normally not found in the bloodstream. Finding myelocytes in a blood scan may indicate a disturbance in bone marrow function, such as a response to infection, inflammation, or certain types of leukemia. Further investigation and evaluation by a healthcare provider are needed to determine the underlying cause.
Black spots on a bone scan may indicate areas of increased bone activity or hot spots, which can be caused by conditions such as fractures, infection, inflammation, or bone tumors. These areas typically show up as dark areas on the scan due to higher uptake of the radioactive tracer used in the scan.
Pyrophosphate is injected before a MUGA scan of the heart to improve visualization of cardiac muscle tissue. Pyrophosphate has a high affinity for calcium deposits, which can help identify areas of damaged heart muscle or scar tissue that may indicate previous heart attacks or other heart conditions.
The tests used to diagnose kidney ailments typically include blood tests to check kidney function (e.g. creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) and urine tests to check for protein, blood, or other abnormalities. Imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scans may also be used to visualize the kidneys and urinary tract. Sometimes a kidney biopsy may be needed for a more definitive diagnosis.
One radioisotope commonly used to attach to red blood cells is technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is used in nuclear medicine imaging procedures such as a technetium-99m red blood cell scan. It is injected into the bloodstream and binds to red blood cells to help visualize blood flow and detect abnormalities.
Pregnant women are the only patients who should not participate in a cardiac blood pool scan.
A cardiac blood pool scan is sometimes called equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography or gated (synchronized) cardiac blood pool imaging.
A multiplegated acquisition (MUGA) scan is a variation of this test.
Cardiac blood pool scans are a safe and effective way of measuring left ventricle function. The only risk is to the fetus of a pregnant woman.
It is also called a cardiac blood pool study
The patient may resume normal activities immediately.
To perform a cardiac blood pool scan, the patient lies under a special gamma scintillation camera that detects radiation. A protein tagged with a radioactive marker (usually technetium-99m) is injected into the patient's forearm.
The patient needs to remain silent and motionless during the test.
A computer is used to process the information from the test, then the results are analyzed by a doctor.
No changes in diet or medication are necessary. An ECG will probably be done before the test.
The scan can detect aneurysms of the left ventricle, motion abnormalities caused by damage to the heart wall, cardiac shunts between the left and right ventricle, and coronary occlusive artery disease.
The camera is synchronized with an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take a picture at specific times in the cycle of heart contraction and relaxation.