This exam is used to help localize active bleeding sites in the abdomen.

A technologist will explain the entire process to you prior to starting the exam.  He/she will also ask you some health history questions, which will help our radiologist interpret your exam.

The technologist will place an intravenous (IV) line in your arm.  He/she will draw some of your blood  (about 5 cc) through the IV line.   You will be free to go anywhere for about 30 minutes while your blood is being labeled with a radiopharmaceutical reagent.

When your blood is ready, you will be placed flat on our scanning bed.  Our cameras will be positioned over your abdomen area. The technologist will reinject you with your labeled blood through the previously inserted IV line.

Since images will be acquired continuously during this exam, you will be asked to remain as still as possible during the next 90 minutes.  All attempts will be made to make you as comfortable as possible without compromising the quality of the exam.

If you have any technical questions specific to this procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask the technologist at dosing time.  All clinical questions should be directed to your physician.

A report will be sent to the ordering physician.

Total time in our department will be about 2 hours.  It will take about 30 minutes to prepare your blood prior to the actual camera time of 90 minutes.

No complications are expected from this procedure.

Studies of the health effects of radiation have shown that high doses of radiation can cause cancer.  However, this hospital procedure requires that we inject you with a very low level of radioactive material. 

The risk from lower doses of radiation, such as you will receive during this exam, is uncertain.  Most scientists believe that the risk is very small.  Certainly, the benefits received from the exam far outweigh the small risk associated with this procedure