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Liver and spleen scan

Patient Education
Last reviewed

What is the test?

The liver and spleen scan is used to look for changes in the organs that are abnormal.

Your appointment

If you make any changes to your insurance before your appointment please call Registration at 1-866-309-0832. This will help to prevent any delays and the need to reschedule your test, as many radiology services need a pre-authorization.

Take Elevator H or I to Level 3 Nuclear Medicine Center. It is between elevators H and I.

Please call Nuclear Medicine at 1-319-356-1911 if you:

  • Have questions 
  • Need to cancel your appointment
  • Are unable to perform the prep below or think you may be pregnant
    • You may not be able to have the test, or it may need to be rescheduled

Getting ready for your test

Before your test, tell your doctor or nurse if:

  • You are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.

Food

  • You may eat and drink before and after your test.
  • If you have any other test today where you are told not to eat or drink for a longer amount of time, please follow those instructions.

Medicine

  • Take your normal medications before and after your test.

What to expect

The test will take about one hour.

  1. During the test, we will give you a radioactive medicine into your vein through an intravenous catheter (IV). The level of radioactivity is very low and does not have side effects.
  2. Your pictures are taken by a special machine called a gamma camera. The cameraL
    • Does not emit any radiation
    • Will be close to your body while the pictures are taken.