DATSCAN

A nuclear medicine scan is a very common medical procedure.
It uses small amounts of radioactive materials to highlight a specific organ.
This helps your Doctor diagnose (find the problem) and, in some cases, treat a number of diseases.
The scan uses a gamma camera to look for signs of disease.
It shows the Doctor how well your organs are working. Other types of scans show what your organs look like.

This scan checks the level of dopamine in your brain using a small and safe amount of radioactive material (a tracer), to help see it.
If the brain takes in less of the radioactive material, it can mean some dopamine nerve cells are lost.
This can happen with Parkinson's disease and similar conditions.
Losing dopamine nerve cells can cause problems with moving, like walking or using your hands.
This scan can also help find out if someone has Lewy Body dementia.
The DATSCAN radioactive tracer is an expensive medicine.
It costs Ł700 per patient.
The dose is ordered from Europe four working days before your appointment.
If you cannot come to your appointment, please tell us at least four working days before. This lets us cancel the medicine, which can only be used for one day.
It is very important that you confirm your appointment when you receive this letter.
Our telephone number and email address are below, in the section 'Contact our service'.

Yes. It is very important that you confirm your appointment when you receive your appointment letter.
If you do not confirm, the dose will not be ordered, and the scan cannot be done.
There is a list of medications below which you may need to stop taking.
Please check your medications against this list.
You must talk to your clinician first before you stop taking these medications or if you have any worries or concerns.
Please call us if you have any questions about medications on the telephone number at the end of this leaflet.
Please let us know if you are allergic to lodine.

Medication that needs to be stopped before a DATSCAN procedure

Medication	How many days before the scan you need to stop taking it
Amfetamine	7
Bupropion	8
Cocaine	2
Dexamfetamine	7
Dexamethylphenidate	7
Ephedrine	1
Fentanyl	5
Isoflurane	1
Ketamine	1
Mazindol	3
Methylamfetamine	7
Modafinil	3
Norepinephrine	Only at high doses
Phentermine	1
Phencyclidine	1
Phenylephrine	Only at high doses
Radafaxine	3

A radioactive tracer will be injected into your vein.
This helps us see the part of your brain that we need to scan, using our special camera.
You may leave the department after this injection and return when it is time for your scan.

You will be asked to come back at this time so we can scan your brain.
You will be asked to lie on your back on a bed with your head in a small cradle.
Two cameras will move around your head to create the images, but they do not touch the head.
The entire scan can take up to 45 minutes.
It is important that you keep still during the scan.

The scans are safe and painless.
Because a small amount of radioactive tracer is used, there is only a very small risk of radiation exposure.
If you have any worries or questions about the scan, please talk to your Doctor or contact the Nuclear Medicine department.

Please tell the Nuclear Medicine Technologist or Radiographer if you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding before you come to your appointment.
Please tell us if you are very afraid of needles (needle phobia) or cannot lie down flat.
The camera comes very close to your head during the scan so please let us know if you feel anxious in small spaces (claustrophobia).

Drink lots of water.
The radioactive tracer leaves your body through your pee (urine). Drinking lots of water will help get rid of it faster.
Do not have any blood or urine tests for 24 hours after your scan because the radioactive tracer may still be in your body.

A Radiologist reviews (looks at) the scan and sends the report to the Specialist Doctor who asked for it. They will then contact you directly.
This can take about 2 to 3 weeks.

You will need to lie down flat and stay still during the scan. Moving can make the pictures unclear.
The scan can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes. This will depend on the type of procedure you are having.
Please do not bring anyone with you who is pregnant or under 18 years old. This is because there are radioactive materials in the department**.
We do not allow anyone under 18 to interpret for patients.
If you need an interpreter, please tell the Nuclear Medicine department, and they will arrange one for you.

Published:

27 Jan 2026

Review:

27 Jan 2028

Reference:

ACW/Imag/DATSCAN/02