Nuclear Medicine Preparations

Prepare for Your Imaging Test at AMI in New Jersey

There is a wide variety of nuclear medicine procedures, and each one has different preparation requirements. We have created this quick preparation overview for various tests for your convenience.

Appointment Guidelines

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time and bring the following information with you:

• Script, Insurance Card and Photo ID

• Provide Tracking Number, and Referral (if applicable)

• Co-payment, co-insurance, and/or deductible is due at the time of your appointment. Contact your insurance provider if you have questions about your plan or coverage.

• Please bring any prior relevant studies and reports to your appointment.

Do not wear any metal or jewelry to your exam.

Before Your Visit

You will receive an email shortly with important information about your appointment, it will include a link for registration paperwork and procedure instructions, please be on the lookout for that information, we strongly encourage you to complete your paperwork and submit a copy of your script before your appointment.

After your exam, you can access your results online through the AMI Patient Portal.

Bone or Joint Scan

Drink extra liquids before and after the injection.

Gallium Scan

Fleets Enema the evening prior to imaging.

Gastric Emptying

Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Study

Nothing by mouth after midnight on the night prior to your examination.

Hepatobiliary Scan

Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior to the examination. No barium studies 2 days prior to the examination.

HIDA Scan w/Gall Bladder Ejection Fraction

Nothing by mouth after midnight on the night prior to your examination. Discontinue any morphine type (narcotic) medications 24 hours prior to the test.
No barium studies 2 days prior to the examination.

Liver or Spleen Scan

No barium studies 3 days prior to the examination.

Meckel's Scan

Nothing by mouth 4 hours prior to the examination. No barium studies 3 days prior to the examination.

MUGA Scan

There are no preparations for this examination.

Renal Scan

There are no preparations for this examination.

Renal Scan w/Captopril

Nothing by mouth 4 hours prior to the examination. Discontinue any ACE inhibitor medications 48 hours prior to the examination after first consulting your physician.

SPECT Brain Scan

There is no preparation for this examination.

SPECT Liver Scan (Red Blood Cell Scan of Liver) Thyroid Scan and Uptake (Radionuclide Iodine Uptake)

No barium studies 2 days prior to the examination.

Thyroid Scan and Uptake (Radionuclide Iodine Uptake)

No thyroid medication three to six weeks prior to exam (check with technologist).
No x-ray contrast studies (e.g. IVP, CT Scan) up to six weeks prior to exam. Avoid salt and seafood products two days (48 hours) prior to exam.