Indium-labelled WBC scan

Blood is drawn from a vein, most often on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood. Next, the provider gently inserts…

Most of the time you do not need special preparation. You will need to sign a consent form. For the test, you will need to wear a hospital gown or loose clothing. You will need to take off all jewelry. Tell your provider if you are pregnant. This test is NOT recommended if you are pregnant or trying to become…

Some people feel a little pain when the needle is inserted to draw blood. Others feel only a prick or sting. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. The nuclear medicine scan is painless. It may be a little uncomfortable to lie flat and still on the scanning table. This most often takes about an hour.

The test is rarely used today. In some cases, it may be helpful when your provider cannot localize an infection. The most common reason it is used is to look for a bone infection called osteomyelitis. It is also used to look for an abscess that may form after surgery or on its own. Symptoms of an abscess depend on…

Normal findings would show no abnormal gathering of white blood cells.

A gathering of white blood cells outside of the normal areas is a sign of either an abscess or other type of inflammatory process. Abnormal results may include: Bone infection Abdominal abscess Anorectal abscess Epidural abscess Peritonsillar abscess Pyogenic liver abscess Skin abscess Tooth abscess

The risks of this test include: Some bruising may occur at the site of injection. There is always a slight chance of infection when the skin is broken. There is low-level radiation exposure. The test is controlled so that you get only the smallest amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Pregnant…

Chacko AK, Shah RB. Emergency nuclear radiology. In: Soto JA, Lucey BC, eds. Emergency Radiology: The Requisites . 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 12. Cleveland KB. General principles of infection. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, Canale ST, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics . 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA:…