Nuclear Medicine Department

Nuclear Medicine uses gamma cameras to create images of the function and metabolism of a patient’s internal body parts.

We also use low dose CAT scans to image a patient’s anatomy. This allows us to localise sites of abnormal function to a precise anatomical location.

During a standard Nuclear Medicine procedure a radiopharmaceutical is injected into the patient’s body. Gamma cameras image the radiation from the radiopharmaceutical, which enables the medical team to determine how an organ is functioning.

The radiopharmaceutical consists of two parts: a radioisotope containing a small amount of radiation, and a tracer that tells the isotope where to go in the body.

The radiopharmaceutical is taken up by the patient’s organs. Different organs take different amounts of time to be seen clearly. After the injection, patients are told a time they should return for the imaging procedure.

Once the imaging is completed the radiopharmaceutical is expelled by the body naturally.

Please inform us if you are or may be pregnant or breastfeeding BEFORE your scan.

Services

The Nuclear Medicine Department and WA PET Service at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital consists of:

  • Administration Staff
  • Nuclear Medicine Laboratory Manager
  • Nuclear Medicine Physicians
  • Nuclear Medicine Physicists
  • Nuclear Medicine Technologists
  • Nursing Staff
  • Unit and Imaging Assistant Staff.

The Nuclear Medicine Department offers a wide range of diagnostic imaging procedures including:

  • Myocardial Perfusion Study
  • Gated Heart Study
  • Cerebral Perfusion Study
  • Bone Scan
  • Lung Scan
  • Renal
  • Thyroid
  • Gallbladder
  • GIT Haemorrhage
  • Tumour Imaging
  • Infection Imaging.

We also offer several radionuclide therapy procedures including:

  • Iodine-131 for thyrotoxicosis and thyroid cancer.
  • Strontium-89 and Samarium-53 EDTMP for palliation of skeletal metastases.
  • Yttrium-90 synovectomies.

All preparation advice for your scan will be mailed to you prior to your appointment.

Please call if you would like any of the instructions clarified.

Please inform us if you are or may be pregnant or breastfeeding BEFORE your scan.

Results take approximately two working days to reach the referring doctor.

Research

The Nuclear Medicine Department and WA PET Service are actively involved in research projects including internal, inter-hospital and international studies. We have a team of research staff that specialise in the process of research application and recruitment. Our department is currently focusing on oncology and infection research with a focus on the PET modality. If you have any enquiries regarding our research please contact us by email at scghresearchnmpet@health.wa.gov.au.

Last Updated: 01/10/2021