Radiology - DaTSCAN™ Brain Scan

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

Why do I need this scan?

Your doctor would like you to have a DaTSCAN™ brain scan to help decide if you have a movement disorder resulting from changes in a small area of the brain. Presently, there are no available alternative diagnostic tests.

You can choose to refuse this test but we strongly recommend that you discuss this with your doctor before making a decision.

Preparation for your scan

• We will ask for a list of all the medications you are taking and some of your medication may be interrupted for a few days. More detailed information will be given to you once the test is scheduled
• You should drink plenty of fluids during the 24 hours before the injection and continue drinking for 48 hours after your test

How is the scan performed?

• This test will take around 5 to 6 hours to complete
• To prevent radioactive uptake in your thyroid gland, you must take iodine tablets, these will be given to you when you arrive in the department for your appointment
• At least 1 hour after the iodine tablets have been taken, you will have a small injection of a radioactive substance into a vein, usually in your arm

We take a series of pictures, called a scan, approximately 3 to 4 hours after your injection. You may leave the department during the intervening time if you wish.

For the scan, you will be asked to lie on an imaging table with your arms down by your side, while a special camera, called a gamma camera, moves around your head and takes pictures.

There is no need to undress. You will need to remove jewellery, particularly earrings and any metal clips in your hair.

The scan usually takes about 30 minutes. 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.

Risks and limitations

• If you think you may be pregnant, or you are breastfeeding you must contact us before the test date. Contact details are at the end of this leaflet
• The radioactive injection contains a small amount of iodine, so you must contact us before the start date if you have ever had an allergic reaction to iodine in the past
• DaTSCAN™ contains a small amount of alcohol equivalent to about a teaspoonful of wine or beer. Please inform us if this may cause a problem for you
• Side effects from the injection are not common, but some people get a skin rash, a headache, upset stomach, vertigo, dry mouth or dizziness
• You might get a small bruise around the injection site. This will only last for a few days
• You will receive a small radiation dose of about 4 mSv. To put this in perspective, the average radiation dose received from natural background radiation in the UK in one year is just under 3 mSv

After the scan

After the injection and scan, you can eat as normal and should continue to drink plenty of fluids for the next 48 hours. This will help to remove the radioactivity from your body.

Please avoid prolonged close contact with children or pregnant women for 48 hours following your injection. 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 it to reach your doctor.

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.

Only essential carers may remain with you. You must let us know before your test date if you require a carer present.

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 cannot make the appointment, please telephone the helpline on 0161 206 4861

This is a 24-hour answer phone, but it is usually manned Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm.

If you prefer, or are not able to telephone please contact us via email on 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 use it for another patient.

I need an ambulance, how do I arrange this?

If you need an ambulance contact:

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

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

Interpreters

If you need an interpreter for your examination, please call the Nuclear Medicine department so that we can try to arrange this.

Other sources of information

We hope your questions have been answered by this booklet. For further information regarding nuclear medicine examinations visit the British Nuclear Medicine website http://www.bnms.org.uk/patientscarers

NHS 11 Service
When less urgent than 999 111

If you require further information about this test please contact - 0161 206 4861.
Nuclear Medicine, Salford Royal Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD