Different tracers perform different functions.
No long-term health risks have been associated with using this method of imaging.
Your healthcare team should give you specific guidelines for preparation.
Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell
If you’re unsure, ask.
Timing
Ask your medical team about the amount of time you should set aside for the scan.
Location
Testing may be done in a hospital, clinic, or imaging center.
Typically, the scan will be done by a medical team that specializes in nuclear medicine.
You may find that casual, loose-fitting clothing is a comfortable choice for the test.
Leave metal items, like watches, jewelry, and earrings, at home.
Cost and Health Insurance
Your insurance may require prior authorization to make it cover your SPECT scan.
SPECT scans, without insurance coverage, can cost over $1,000.
They may want you to stop taking certain ones before the procedure.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if youre pregnant or nursing.
Pre-Test
An intravenous (IV) line will be inserted into your arm.
The radioactive tracer will then be injected via the IV.
You may feel a cold sensation as the tracer flows into your bloodstream.
The wait could be as short as 20 minutes.
In some cases, though, it could take hours or days for the absorption to happen.
Your medical team will provide you with information on this process.
Throughout the Test
During the scan, youll be asked to lie on a table.
The camera will rotate around your body, creating three-dimensional images of your internal organs and tissues.
Your results arent likely to be ready immediately.
A radiologist or nuclear medicine physician needs to evaluate the results and report the findings to your healthcare provider.
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Yandrapalli S, Puckett Y.SPECT Imaging.
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