Ceretec White Blood Cell Study

Information for our Nuclear Medicine Patients

* Inform your physician if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Overview

This test is useful to detect areas of acute infection.

Indications

Abscesses and infection in soft tissues

Skeletal infections

Inflammatory bowel disease

Ceretec White Blood Cell Study

A Ceretec White Blood Cell study involves the use of a small amount of radioactive material. The level of radioactivity used is extremely low and has no side effects.

You will be positioned next to a special detector called a gamma camera. The camera does not produce any radiation. It will be placed close to the part of your body being imaged.

Patient Preparation

None.

Procedure

You will have 3 visits to the department: The first visit, your blood will be drawn. Your white blood cells are then tagged labeled with a small amount of radioactive material. The second visit (4-6 hours later) your tagged white blood cells will be injected into a vein in your arm. The third visit (1-2 hour after injection); painless images will be obtained for approximately one hour.

Further Information

Contact Terre Haute Medical Laboratory Nuclear Medicine at 812.238.7542