DatScan - Radiology - The Princess Alexandra Hospital | NHS Trust

The Princess Alexandra HospitalNHS TrustDATSCANWhat is a DATSCAN examination?This is a test in which a small amount of radioactivity isused to obtain pictures of an area of your brain.What is involved?On arrival you will be given a thyroid blocking solutionin water to drink 1 hour before an injection of a smallamount of radiation is given in your arm; this is tominimise uptake in your thyroid gland of radioactiveiodine. 1 hour later an injection containing theradiation is given in your arm, similar to a blood test.The amount of radiation you receive is small; there areno serious side effects to this injection.When you have had your injection you will be toldwhen to return for your scan, this is usually about 3hours later. You may go home, go to town or stay inthe hospital between the injection and the scan.In the scanning room you will be asked to lie downwith your head resting on a pad. A band is thenplaced over your head as we need you to keep as stillas possible for this procedure. During the scan, twocameras move around you. This takes about 30minutes. Staff are present in the room with you whilstthe scan is taking place.Once the scan is completed you are free to go home.You will be given a thyroid blocking solution to takewith you and instructions on when to take it thefollowing day.Do I need to prepare for the scan?Yes. You may eat and drink normally before yourappointment, however certain medication needs to bestopped 7 days before the day of your scan. Pleasecontact the department with a list of any medicationyou are taking.Any other questions?......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Meeting your needsWe can provideinformation about ourservice in differentformats and adapt theways we communicatewith you – depending onyour needs. For example,we can use Braille, largeprint or differentlanguages. Please let usknow what your particularneeds are and we will doour best to help.You can contact us aboutaccessibility bytelephoning 01279827211.

The Princess Alexandra HospitalNHS TrustDATSCANWill it hurt?Only the pinprick of the injection may hurt a little. You will not feel any ill effects fromthe injection. It does not make you drowsy.Is the radiation dangerous?The amount of radiation you receive is small. It is similar to that from an X-rayexamination of your lower back and hips.Do I need to do anything after the scan?You can eat, drink and go where you wish.Please avoid close contact with children and pregnant women for the rest of the day.Close contact means having a child sit next to you for more than half an hour. This is toavoid exposing children to unnecessary radiation.What happens to the result of the scan?Our consultant will send a report to the doctor who asked for the scan. Theradiographer will not be able to tell you the results at the time of the scan.Can I bring a friend or relative with me?We would welcome this as long as they are not young children or pregnant.Due to Ionising Radiation Regulations, only patients are allowed in the scanning room.Children must not be left unaccompanied whilst in the X-ray department. If the child isthe patient then obviously parents may accompany them into the scanning room.There are several car parks in the hospital, however, we recommend that you allowtime to park your car before your appointment.