Radiology - Bone Marrow Scan

Please read this leaflet carefully in conjunction with your appointment letter.

Why do I need this scan?

Your doctor has asked us to perform a bone marrow scan to look for any abnormal distribution of bone marrow.

You can choose not to have this test, but we strongly recommend that you should discuss this with your doctor before making a decision.

Preparation for your scan

Please confirm your appointment by leaving a message on our 24-hour answer phone 0161 206 2405. Calls will only be returned if requested.

There is no special preparation for your scan, however you should drink plenty before and after your scan.

If you are taking any medication, you should continue as normal.

How is the scan performed?

This test may take up to 2 hours to complete.

When you arrive in the department you will receive a small injection of a radioactive substance into a vein, usually in your arm. This will circulate around your body and will be temporarily absorbed by your bone marrow. This allows us to take pictures, called a scan, usually after 45 minutes to 1 hour from injection. A low dose CT scan may also be performed as part of the scan.
 
During the waiting time you will be able to leave the department and will be free to eat and drink.

For the scan, you will usually lie on an imaging table with your arms down by your side, while a special camera, called a gamma camera, performs the scan. Usually there is no need to undress. You will need to remove jewellery, keys, or other metallic objects from your person/pockets.

The scan generally takes between 20 and 40 minutes but can take longer depending on the individual.

Having the scan does not hurt but it is important that you keep still. If you are uncomfortable, please tell us and we will try to make you as relaxed as possible.

There are unlikely to be any side effects from the injection; it does not make you sleepy or prevent you from driving a car.

Risks and Limitations

• If you think you may be pregnant, or you are breastfeeding you must contact us before the test date
• You might get a bruise around the injection site
• Side effects are not common, but some people may get a reduction in heart rate, low blood pressure, shortness of breath or facial swelling
• You will receive a small radiation dose of about 2 to 3 mSv. To put this in perspective, the average radiation dose received from natural background radiation in the UK is just under 3 mSv in one year.

After the scan

After the scan, you can eat as normal and should continue to drink plenty of fluids for the rest of the day. This will help to remove the radioactivity from your body. The radioactivity should completely disappear within 24 hours.

Please avoid prolonged close contact with children or pregnant women for the rest of the day. This is to avoid exposing babies and children to unnecessary radiation.

What happens to the results?

A report is sent to the hospital consultant who asked us to do the test. Allow at least 2 weeks for this.

Nuclear medicine staff are not allowed to give patients the result of any tests directly.

Can I bring a friend or relative?

Yes, but they will be asked to remain in the waiting room whilst you are being scanned.

Please, do not bring children or pregnant adults with you as there may be other patients in the department who might expose them to a small but unnecessary amount of radiation.

What if I cannot attend for my appointment?

If you have any questions about your examination or are unable to make the appointment, please telephone the help line on 0161 206 4861. This is a 24-hour answer phone but is usually manned Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

If you prefer you can contact us via email at Radio-Isotopes@nca.nhs.uk

Please include your name, address, date of birth and hospital number (if known) on all correspondence.

Please help us to cut our waiting lists. If you need to cancel or change your appointment, call us as soon as you can so that we can give it to somebody else.

I need an ambulance; how do I arrange this?

If you need an ambulance contact:

Salford residents - 0161 206 7014
Other areas - 0800 032 3240

Please inform the Nuclear Medicine department if you are arriving by ambulance.

Interpreters

If you need a translator for your examination, please contact the Nuclear Medicine department.

Other sources of information

For further information regarding nuclear medicine examinations, visit the British Nuclear Medicine website:
http://www.bnms.org.uk/page/PatientsCarers

Contact us

If you still have concerns or require further information about this test please contact us at Nuclear Medicine Department, Salford Royal Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD.
Telephone 0161 206 4861