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To find the site of platelet destruction, whether it is the spleen or the liver.
On your arrival in the department, we will take two blood samples. The first sample will be approximately 5 ml and this will be sent to haematology for a platelet count. The second sample will be approximately 50 ml and from this the platelets will be separated and labelled with a small amount of radioactive indium.
We will ask you to return to the department approximately 2 and a half hours after the blood was taken. During this time your platelets will be labelled with Indium. However, very occasionally the labelling may be unsuccessful and we will not be able to proceed with the study if this is the case.
You will be injected with the indium-labelled platelets into a vein in your arm or the back of the hand. We will then take a blood sample from a different vein and do a scan approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour later. For this you will be asked to lie down on the imaging couch and a picture of your liver and spleen will be taken using a gamma camera. In order to obtain good pictures the camera will be close to you and you will need to keep still for approximately 20 minutes. We will take further blood samples and images at 3, 24 and 48 hours after the injection of the radiolabelled platelets. Each scan will take approximately 20 minutes.
If you are pregnant, or you think you might be pregnant, you need to inform your doctor or the Nuclear Medicine staff before attending your appointment. In general, exposure to radiation during pregnancy should be kept to a minimum and it may be necessary to postpone your scan. The present guidelines recommend that breast-feeding need not be interrupted if the mother is undergoing this test; however, it is advisable to feed the baby before the injection.
We would prefer that you do not bring more than one person with you. It is advisable not to have a pregnant woman or a small child with you. This is to avoid exposing them to unnecessary radiation from other patients in our waiting room. The tiny amount of radiation from your injection does not constitute any danger to others, including children or babies.
You may eat, drink, and take your medication as normal.
You may feel a slight pinprick from the injection needle. Our doctors will be available during your stay in the department to answer any queries and to provide medical cover in case of any side effect from the injection we give you (please note that side effects are extremely rare).
The amount of radioactivity you receive in this study is strictly within the recommended national level. At this level, the benefit to you from a diagnosis of your condition outweighs the risk (negligible) of any harm associated with the radiation you will receive.
You may eat as normal. The more fluid you drink the better, as the radioactivity is passed out in the urine. No extra precautions need to be taken when passing urine.
The Nuclear Medicine doctor will report on the study and the result will be sent to the doctor who requested the study. He/she will be able to discuss the results with you in relation to other tests you may have had.