Full-body scanning or full-body research (PCI) is an imaging test requested by your doctor to study tumor location, disease progression, and metastasis. To do this, radioactive substances, called radiopharmaceuticals, such as iodine, are used.131, octrenotide or gallium-67, depending on the purpose of the scan, which are administered and absorbed by the organs, emitting radiation detected by the equipment.Know what radioactive iodine is used for.
Images are obtained using a device, which tracks the entire body, after one or two days of administering the substance.Thus, it is possible to check how the radiopharmaceutical is distributed in the body.The test result is considered normal when the substance is evenly distributed throughout the body and indicates disease when a high concentration of radiopharmaceutical is observed in an organ or region of the body.
- The purpose of the full-body scanner is to investigate the primary site of a tumor.
- Its evolution.
- And whether or not metastasis exists.
- The radiopharmaceutical used depends on the system or organ to be evaluated:.
The whole body is scanned under medical supervision and poses no risk to the patient, as the radioactive substances administered are naturally removed from the body.
The search for the whole body is essentially done in four stages
Full-body scans usually do not require the patient to fast, but there are some recommendations to follow depending on the substance to be administered.
In the case of iodine-131, it is recommended to avoid iodine-rich foods, such as fish and milk, in addition to discontinuing the use of certain medications, such as vitamin supplements and thyroid hormones before testing.you don’t have a test, but just a thyroid test, you should fast for at least 2 hours.See how thyroid scans are done and what foods are high in iodine to avoid during the exam.
The test is performed with the patient lying face down and lasts approximately 30 to 40 minutes; in ICP with iodine-131 and gallium-67, images are taken 48 hours after administration of the radiopharmaceutical, but if an infection is suspected, ICP with gallium-67 should be taken 4 to 6 hours after administration of the substance.In ioD with octredo, images are taken twice, once with approximately 6 hours and once with 24 hours of administration of the substance.
After the test, the person can resume normal activities and should drink plenty of water to help get rid of the radioactive substance more quickly.
Before undergoing a full body scan, it is important for the person to tell the doctor if they have any allergies, if they are using a bismuth-containing medicine, such as peptulane, which is used for gastritis, or if they are pregnant.or lactation, as this type of test is not recommended because it can affect the baby.
Side effects associated with radiopharmaceuticals are rare, especially since very low doses are used, but allergic reactions, rashes or swelling may occur in the area where the substance was administered, so it is important that the doctor knows the patient’s condition.