Once the radiotracer has traveled through your body and accumulated in the organ or area being studied, which can take from several seconds to several days, a gamma camera will take a series of images. The camera may rotate around you or it may stay in one position and you will be asked to change positions in between images. While the camera is taking pictures, you will need to remain still for brief periods of time.

When the examination is completed, you may be asked to wait until the technologist checks the images, in case additional images are needed. Occasionally, more images are obtained for clarification or better visualization of certain areas or structures.

Finally, If you had an IV line inserted for the procedure, it will usually be removed unless you are scheduled for an operating room procedure that same day.

Unless your physician tells you otherwise, you may resume your normal activities after your nuclear medicine scan. If any special instructions are necessary, you will be informed by a technologist, nurse or physician before you leave the nuclear medicine department.

A radiologist who has specialized training in nuclear medicine will interpret the images and forward a report to your referring physician.