In Gastroenterology, Nuclear Medicine mainly studies gastro-oesophageal and intestinal motility by evaluating the progression along the digestive tract of a weakly "radiolabeled" meal administered to the patient.
In Nephro-urology, medical-nuclear imaging allows separate quantification of kidney function and study of the dynamics of urine elimination along the excretory tracts by highlighting the presence of any obstructions or other abnormalities of normal outflow.
Gastroenterological and nephro-urological diagnostics
Evaluation of gastro-oesophageal and intestinal motility, kidney function and urine elimination dynamics.
Examinations and diagnosis
Static renal scintigraphy
Principal indications.
Evaluation of renal parenchymal function. Study of post-infectious (pyelonephritis) and post-traumatic cortical damage.
Examination procedure.
Non-fasting patient. It is recommended that the patient be well hydrated before the examination. Injection of the radiopharmaceutical intravenously. Performance of the examination 2-6 hours after administration of the radiopharmaceutical.
Duration of the examination
30-40 minutes.
Sequential renal scintigraphy
Principal indications.
Assessment of renal function. Assessment of urinary outflow along the excretory tract and the presence of any obstructions. Functional assessment pre and post surgery for pyelo-ureteral junction stenosis. Study of the transplanted kidney.
Examination procedure.
Non-fasting patient. It is recommended that the patient take 500 ml of water before the examination to ensure good hydration. Injection of radiopharmaceutical coinciding with the start of the examination.
Testing with diuretic administration may be performed during the investigation.
Duration of the examination.
Approximately 60 minutes.
Study of gastric emptying
Principal indications.
Study of alterations in gastric motility and digestive transit.
Examination procedure.
Fasting patient. Patient takes a standard weakly radiolabeled meal.
Performance of the examination
The first phase of the investigation begins just after intake of the radiolabeled meal. Further follow-up is performed in the following hours.
Duration of the examination
4 hours.
Study of vesicoureteral reflux
Principal indications
Evaluation of urinary outflow abnormalities along the excretory tract and any spontaneous urinary reflux and/or during micturition. Pre- and postoperative evaluation for correction.
Examination procedure.
Non-fasting patient. Good hydration before the examination is recommended. Intravesical instillation of the radiopharmaceutical. The study can be performed as an ancillary phase of sequential renal scintigraphy. The start of the investigation coincides with the administration of the radiotracer.
Duration of the examination.
Approximately 60 minutes.
Searching for gastro-intestinal bleeding
Principal indications.
Localization of the site of discontinuous gastro-intestinal bleeding.
Examination procedure.
Fasting patient. Erythrocytes are weakly radiolabeled by intravenous administration of a sensitizing substance followed by the radiopharmaceutical.
Performance of the examination.
The first phase of the investigation begins with administration of the radiopharmaceutical. Subsequent checks may be performed in the following hours.
Duration of the examination
4-6 hours.
Search for ectopic gastric mucosa (Meckel's diverticulum)
Principal indications
Search for and localization of ectopic gastric mucosa present in Meckel's diverticulum.
Examination procedure.
Fasting patient. Administration of radiopharmaceutical that is concentrated from the gastric mucosa. Examination performance: the first phase of the investigation begins with the administration of the radiopharmaceutical. Further follow-up can be performed at later times.
Duration of the examination
60-90 minutes.
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The original version is the page in Italian.
