Exam: Lung Scan

Lung Scan Description

Duration: 1.5 hour(s)

A lung scan is a “nuclear medicine” scanning test that is most commonly used to detect a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that is preventing normal blood flow to part of a lung).

What is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear medicine is a type of diagnostic exam whereby images are acquired by tracking the distribution of radioactive material in the body.  The radioactive isotope is injected at the start of the test.  A Gamma camera is used to detect the rays emitted by the radioactive material.  Most of the radioactive isotopes injected into the patient’s body is eliminated via urine and the intensity of radioactivity diminishes over time.

An appointment is necessary for all Nuclear Medicine/Nuclear Cardiac examinations.

Preparation

No preparation required.