GI Bleed Scan Procedure

Indications

• To aid in locating the mysterious over bleed’s origin
• Identifying the risks of GI bleeding
• The timely ordering of diagnostic angiography
• Helping with the planning of an angiographic intervention or a surgical procedure
• Identification of the locations of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
• Identifying the locations of external gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Other than the following few things, there is no extra preparation needed for the GI Bleed Scanning:

• For the scan, 4-6 hours of fasting are necessary.
• Take no barium studies at least 48 hours before the scan.

Procedure for GI Bleed Scan

• A special gamma camera will be used to take pictures of the abdomen to check the state of the bleeding.
• The technician will inject the patient with a radiopharmaceutical called Technetium-99m.

Procedure for GI Bleed Scan in Technical Aspects

• 20 mCi of Tc 99 m pertechnetate
• Imaging is carried out while lying on one’s back using an Ultra Tag kit for in vitro labeling of the RBCs, which takes 20 to 30 minutes.
• 90 minutes of front and posterior dynamic imaging, 60 seconds per frame, and a planar lateral pelvic image that evaluates the posterior to the bladder.

Written By

Ms. Simran Kaushal

Technologist (Nuclear Medicine)