Nuclear Medicine Testing at Detroit Medical Center can be scheduled by calling 888-DMC-2500.
Important: The preparations listed on these pages DO NOT APPLY TO CHILDREN.
You should ALWAYS check with your doctor before stopping any of your medications.
Bone Scan
Prep: None
Notes: If you are having this exam and a Muga Scan, the two tests must be scheduled 48 hours apart. This is a two-part visit. At your initial visit, you will receive an injection of a Radiopharmaceutical. The length of time for this first part is only 10-15 minutes. You will then return 3 hours later for scanning. Length of scan time is approximately 30-60 minutes. For DMC Huron Valley-Sinai only: For patients with no history of cancer, please try to bring your x-rays if they were performed at a different facility.
Brain SPECT
Prep: None
Notes: If your exam is with and without Diamox, arrangements must be made with the hospital’s Radiology Department. The length of the test is 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Cardiolite
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your exam. No caffeine products (coffee tea, chocolate) for 24 hrs before your appointment. Wear comfortable clothing/shoes.
Cardiolite/Stress (treadmill)
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your exam. No caffeine products (coffee tea, chocolate) for 24 hrs before your appointment. Wear comfortable clothing/shoes.
Cardiolite/Dobutamine
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your exam. No caffeine products (coffee tea, chocolate) for 24 hrs before your appointment. Wear comfortable clothing/shoes.
Cardiolite/Persantine
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your exam. No caffeine products (coffee tea, chocolate) for 24 hrs before your appointment. Wear comfortable clothing/shoes.
Gallium Scan
Prep: None
Notes: You will receive an injection and then you will return after two or possibly three days for scanning. Your scan appointment will take approximately 1 hour.
Gastric Empty
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink 4 to 6 hours before your exam.
HIDA Scan Gallbladder
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink 4 to 6 hours before your exam.
Length of test is 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Notes: For DMC Sinai-Grace Only: This exam is available to be scheduled only on Mondays and Fridays at 8:00 a.m.
HIDA Scan: NM – Bilary (HIDA with or without Pharm/Quant)
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink 4 to 6 hours prior to your exam.
Notes: Length of test is 1 ½ to 2 hours.
For DMC Sinai-Grace Only: This exam is available to be scheduled only on Mondays and Fridays at 8:00 a.m.
Liver SPECT with Flow
Prep: None
Notes: Length of test is 2-3 hours.
Lung (V/Q): NM-Lung Perfusion with washout
Prep: None
Notes: Length of test is one hour. If your diagnosis is pulmonary embolism (PE), contact the hospital’s Radiology Department.
MUGA-Rest
Prep: None
Notes: Length of test is one hour. If you are having this exam and a Bone Scan, the two tests must be scheduled 48 hours apart.
Myocardial Perfusion
Prep: No caffeine for 24 hours prior to exam. Stop taking theophylline for 24 hours prior to exam (ask your doctor before stopping any medications). Nothing to eat or drink for 4-6 hours prior to your exam.
Parathyroid Scan
Prep: None
Notes: Total length of test is approximately 3 hours.
For DMC Sinai-Grace Only: This exam is available to be scheduled only on Monday or Friday at 9:00 a.m.
RBC Liver (Hemangioma)
Prep: None
Notes: Length of test is 2-3 hours.
Renal Image – Fl/Func – Single with Pharm.
Prep: Drink extra fluids 1 to 2 hours prior to your exam. You may use the bathroom at any time before your exam. Length of test is 1 hour.
Renal Scan
Prep: Drink extra fluids 1 to 2 hours prior to your exam. You may use the bathroom at any time before your exam. Length of test is 1 hour.
Notes: DMC Sinai-Grace only: If ordered w/ Lasik, your exam will have to be scheduled in the morning.
Renal Scan (Captopril)
Prep: If you are taking Ace Inhibitors, you should speak with the Radiology Department for instructions on whether to stop taking that medication or not. If you are not on Ace Inhibitors, no prep required.
Notes: This test takes 1 ½ hours.
WBC
Prep: None
Whole Body
Prep: None
Notes: This exam is a two-part visit. Your initial visit will be approximately 10-15 minutes, to receive the injection. You will then return in 3 hours for scanning. The scanning part will take approximately 30-60 minutes. DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Only: Patients with no history of cancer, try to bring your x-rays.