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Procedure:

• You have been referred for a Meckel's Diverticulum Study in which imaging is done of your abdomen.

• A Meckel's Diverticulum Study is sensitive in showing any diverticulum (pouch) containing gastric mucosa.

• The test involves a small injection of  “tracer” (like having a blood test).

• The tracer we use is called 99mTc-Pertechnetate (99m-Technetium Pertechnetate).

• There are rarely any side effects with this injection.

• Once you have had the injection, images are done of your abdomen whilst lying on a bed using a Gamma Camera (1). This takes 30 minutes.

• We then image your abdomen whilst lying on your right and left sides. This takes 10 minutes to do.

• You receive a slight radiation dose by having a Meckel's Diverticulum Study ~ up to 2.2 times your yearly background radiation (2).

 

Patient Preparation:

• If you are pregnant, trying to fall pregnant or breast feeding, you must inform our staff.

• You are not allowed to eat or drink for 6 hours before the scan.

• If you have had prior imaging e.g. PET, Nuclear Scan, CT, MRI, X-Ray, Ultrasound, etc... please bring these with you.

• Please also bring your referral and any blood results that you may have had done.

• If you are on any medications, please take these as normal.

• Wear comfortable clothing and minimise the amount of metal jewellery you have on (all metal objects will need to be removed prior to imaging).

• Important Note: You cannot have this test if you have had a PET or Nuclear Scan within 24 hours prior to this test. If you have had Iodine-131 therapy, allow 4-weeks before having this test. Please ring to discuss booking options.​

 

Breast-Feeding Mothers: Once you have been given the tracer, you need to stop breast-feeding for 48-hours. During this time, you need to express and discard your breast milk as often as required. You will need to bottle-feed your child during this period.

 

⁽¹⁾ A Gamma Camera is a device that detects gamma-rays (gamma-rays are very similar to x-rays) and does not emit any radiation.

⁽²⁾ We all receive a yearly background radiation dose ~ 2.4mSv. Meckel's Diverticulum Study ~ 5.2mSv = 2.2 times yearly background dose.