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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

For most people, SPECT scans are safe. If you receive an injection or infusion of radioactive tracer, you may experience:

  • Bleeding, pain or swelling where the needle was inserted in your arm
  • Rarely, an allergic reaction to the radioactive tracer

SPECT scans aren't safe for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding because the radioactive tracer may be passed to the developing fetus or the nursing baby.

Risks of radiation
Your health care team uses the lowest amount of radiation possible in order to perform the scan. In general, a SPECT scan exposes you to radiation levels similar to those you might encounter naturally in the environment over the course of a year. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about your exposure to radiation during a SPECT scan.

How you prepare Why it's done
References
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  8. Beller GA, et al. Nuclear cardiology and computed tomography. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Dec. 20, 2010.
  9. What is nuclear medicine? Society of Nuclear Medicine. http://interactive.snm.org/docs/whatisnucmed2.pdf. Accessed Dec. 20, 2010.
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  12. Lowe V (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 5, 2011.
MY00233 March 4, 2011

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