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.
- In preparation for the MIBG scan, it is important to take SSKI (supersaturated potassium iodide ) drops on the day prior to injection, the day of injection and the day after injection. The drops will be prescribed and explained to you by the physician.
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 guidelines to refer to in the meantime.
- 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.