Molecular imaging uses radioactive pharmaceuticals to produce images of various organs of the body as well as disease.
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What is it for?
Molecular imaging scans use radiopharmaceuticals to highlight specific organs or disease in the body
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Treatment overview
Molecular imaging scans use radiopharmaceuticals to highlight specific organs or disease in the body depending on what type of pharmaceutical the isotope is bound to.
The radiopharmaceutical gives off energy in the form of gamma rays which the gamma camera can detect and then turn into an image.
This means that we are able to visualise the way an organ is functioning – for example, using a renal radiopharmaceutical we can watch the kidneys fill up and then drain into the bladder.
If we bind the tracer to a phosphate, this will send the radiopharmaceutical from the blood stream into the bone matrix and highlight areas of over-activity in the bones determining fractures, infection or spread of disease.
The images show important functional information which can then be combined with other anatomical imaging to give the treating doctors the whole picture. This is therefore of great use to patient management.
Not only can we look at the structure of an organ, but also how it works. The images are developed based on the detection of energy emitted from a radioactive substance which is given to the patient either intravenously or by mouth.
FAQs
There are no allergies or reasons that mean you are not suitable for a molecular imaging test.
However, if there is any chance that you are pregnant or you are breastfeeding, please notify your referring clinician, and the molecular imaging department on booking your appointment.
The scan will be analysed and reported by a molecular imaging physician and the results will be forwarded to the referring clinician within 24 hours or before your follow-up appointment.
The radiopharmaceutical used is determined by what part of the body or process is under investigation, as some compounds collect in specific organs or bind to specific receptors better than others.
It is usually administered into a vein but can also be ingested or inhaled. It is extremely rare to feel any differently after the administration.
Depending on which type of scan is being performed, the imaging will be done either immediately, a few hours later, or even several days after the administration.
Imaging times vary, generally ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. Some studies require a series of images at different times after the administration.
Occasionally a study will require certain medications or foods to be stopped about which you would be informed.
While the images are being obtained, you must remain as still as possible. This is especially true when a series of images is obtained to show how an organ functions over time.
Throughout the procedure the Technologist checks the quality of the images to ensure that an optimal diagnostic study has been performed.
Once the procedure is complete, it may take time to process and analyse the images before the doctors are able to make a report.
- Bone scans
- Kidney studies
- Thyroid imaging
- Parathyroid scanning
- Gastric emptying
- Brain scans
- Post radionuclide therapy imagingÂ
- White cell infection scanning
- Lymphatic drainage studies
- Gastro-intestinal studies
- Lung studies
- Heart studies
- Pre-operation breast studies
- Neuro-endocrine imaging
- The functional information provided by molecular imaging examinations is unique and currently unattainable by using other imaging procedures. For many diseases or other conditions, these studies yield the most useful information needed to make a diagnosis and to determine appropriate treatment, if any
- molecular imaging is much less traumatic than exploratory surgery, and allergic reaction to the radiopharmaceutical material is extremely rare
- Analyse kidney function
- Image blood flow and function of the heart
- Scan lungs for respiratory and blood-flow problems
- Identify blockage of the gallbladder
- Identify bleeding into the bowel
- Differentiate between Parkinson’s and other neurological diseasesÂ
- Evaluate bones for fracture, infection, arthritis or tumour
- Determine the presence or spread of cancer
- Locate the presence of infection
- Measure thyroid function to detect an overactive or underactive thyroid
- Treat thyroid disease
- Treat neuroendocrine tumours
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
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We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.