What is a Datscan?
This scan gives the doctor a picture with valuable information about the function and structure of the brain.  It can help diagnose Parkinson’s Disease.

Preparation for the Scan
Some of your medication may need to be discontinued in preparation for the scan.  Please contact the Nuclear Medicine Department when you receive your appointment letter to discuss your medication.
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are breast feeding please tell the technician BEFORE you have your injection as in some cases we may postpone the scan or give special instructions with regard to breastfeeding..

Is it safe for me to have a scan?
The amount of radioactive tracer used to take the pictures is very small and the radioactivity is short-lived.  The risk is outweighed by the benefit from the information that is gained by taking the scan. A doctor will have checked the request to make sure this is the optimal test before we contact you.
If you have any concerns or would like further information, please contact the person looking after you.

The injection
A small amount of radioactivity will be injected into a vein in your arm or hand.  You may have had a blood test in the past. This is much the same. The ‘pinprick’ of the needle may hurt a bit, but that is all.
We then have to wait for this to get into your brain, so you will be asked to wait 3-5 hours. During this time you can leave the department if you wish.

Your scan
A technician will ask you to swallow 2 small tablets in preparation for the scan.
These tablets will not make you feel any different. We will also give you 2
tablets to take home with you which we need you to take 24 hours after the
injection.
You will not have to get undressed, but will be asked to remove any metal objects like braces, jewellery and belts before you lie on the bed.
You will be asked to lie flat on a couch.
The scans are taken by a special machine called a gamma camera; this is not a tunnel, but it will come close to you. There are sensors in the camera which stop it moving if it touches anything so it cannot hurt you.
You will not be left on your own – there will be someone immediately available.
The scans usually take 30-45 minutes and it is very important that you keep still. Please tell the technician if you think you will find this difficult for any reason.

After the scan
You may eat, drink and go anywhere you wish. Please avoid spending a long time in close contact with young children or pregnant women for the rest of the day.

Your results
A report on the scan will be sent to the doctor who requested it. The reason it is done this way is because your doctor will have all the results from other tests and will be able to tell you how the results of your scans affect your care.

More information?
All the staff would like to make your visit as pleasant as possible. If you have any concerns please talk to the person looking after you.

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