MIBG scan
What is a MIBG
scan?
A MIBG (iodine meta-iodobenzylguanidine) scan is a test used to find tumors
of a specific origin. Special pictures are taken after a medicine is injected
into a vein. The medicine is called a radiopharmaceutical (a tiny amount of a
radioactive liquid). The pictures show the medicine in the tumors.
Before the scan
Before coming to the
hospital read this explanation and explain to your child what will happen
during the test. For young children, use simple words and explain only shortly
before the test.
- Children 5 years and under may require sedation for their
procedure. If sedation is necessary, a nurse or doctor will explain
it to you. You will be given certain eating and
drinking restrictions necessary to
complete the exam. The day of the exam, a parent or guardian needs to be
present to sign informed consent for sedation.
-
If your child is under 5 years of age, they may have to
sedated. Follow sedation instructions that the nurse or doctor give you, but
these are the general
ones you can refer to now.
- If your child is an infant, it is helpful to bring
along a bottle of formula or juice with you for after the test. It is also
recommended that you bring a pacifier, blanket or special toy to help calm
your baby.
- For older children, it is helpful to bring a book, toy, or DVD to play
with while waiting. It is helpful to have another caregiver for your child's
siblings. For young children or babies, it is a good idea to bring a
stroller.
During the MIBG
scan
A technologist will place
a small needle called an IV into a vein in your child's hand or his foot. The
needle hurts for just a moment. When the needle is in, the medicine is injected
into a vein.
After the injection, you
and your child will return to the nuclear medicine area the following day, and
the test will continue. Your child will need to lie still on a soft table while
a special camera is used to take pictures from above and below. He may need a safety belt to
help him lie still; during
this time he may wish to watch a DVD.
It will take at least 1 hour
— and sometimes 2 hours — to take all of the pictures. During this time,
the camera will not hurt or touch your child. You will be able to stay with
him during the entire test.
It is possible that during the procedure your child may
experience some discomfort. Please tell the doctor,
nurse or technologist
if pain occurs.
After
the MIBG scan
The child eliminates the medicine from his body
by urinating. Your child should drink plenty of fluids and urinate often to help clear
it from his body. It should be completely out of your child's body within 24 hours.
As always, you and your
child should wash your hands after the child urinates or when handling
urine-soaked diapers or sheets.
After the
test, your child may return to regular daily activities and meals. If he was
given sedation medicine, he will be monitored by a nurse in the recovery room until he
wakes.
This amount of time is
often unpredictable depending on the amount of sedation medicine given. It is
common for children to sleep 2 hours after the medicine is given.
A nurse will give you
special instructions. Results of the test will be available to your child's
doctor within 24 hours.
Technology/Scanners
used
The pictures will be taken by a Siemens ECam. The open gantry design
and feet-in imaging helps your child to feel more comfortable and allows him to watch a movie. The
camera has two detectors, one which will be above your child and one which will
be under him during the pictures.