Nuclear medicine scan

[car crazy]

My step son has been told he has to go for a nuclear medicine scan, I've googled it and it's some kind of bone scan, what would they do one of these scans for its not until the 6th august so we would like to put his mind at ease before then, thanks in advance

Edited by car crazy on Wednesday 25th July 22:24

[davhill]

In the early 1980s, I worked as an imaging technician at Manchester Uni Medical School. In the basement, there lurked one of the first MRI scanners - an American unit by Picker International. I got to know how magnetic it was - even switched off, the thing trashed my Weston Master V exposure meter.

Back in those days, the scanner was known as an NMR, which stood for the kind of imaging - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imaging. The 'nuclear' bit was about protons (sub atomic particles in nuclei) but concerns were raised that the public might start thinking 'Nuclear Bomb' and the like.

It was decided to replace Nuclear Magnetic Resonance with Magnetic Resonance Imaging. So, the NMR became the MRI, it was that simple.

Sounds like the person concerned is a bit old school in his terminology. Hope this helps.

Edited by davhill on Thursday 26th July 01:15

[Farmerpalmer]

Nuclear Medicine scans are still carried out and bone scans is one of them. A very short acting radio isotope is injected with a protein which is specific for bone. Any increased bone activity will show up on the scan that is done.
Do not worry about the radiation dose, it is very small. I am sure they will have a leaflet on it.
HTH

[car crazy]

Thanks for the reply we were wondering why a 19 year old lad would need one

[The Major]

I had a nuclear scan, with an isotope injected, that was for kidneys.

I was ill for about a week afterwards cause of the radiation.

just something to think about

[car crazy]

He has been treat for arthritis since he was ten, not sure if the two are connected though