Time Required: varies greatly, 1 1/2 - 4 hours
This is a test which determines the exact site of the internal bleeding in the abdomen.
Why do I need a GI bleeding scan?
You may need a GI bleeding scan if blood is seen in your stool or in the vomitus, because you may have stomach or intestinal bleeding.
How do I prepare for my GI bleeding scan?
A nuclear medicine technologist will start an I.V. line in your arm. The technologist will draw a small amount of blood from you and add radioactive medicine to it. This takes approximately 30 minutes.
What can I expect during the test?
You will lie on your back on an examining table for approximately two hours. Your blood, which has the radioactive medicine added to it, will be injected back into your veins through the I.V. line. A special machine which detects the radioactive medicine will begin to scan over your stomach while taking pictures. You must lie very still in order for the pictures to be clear and accurate.
What do I do after my GI bleeding scan?
The nuclear medicine physician will study and interpret your pictures. The results of the test will be sent to your referring doctor. There should not be any discomfort as a result of this test.
