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Patient Services

Patient Prep & Instruction Manual

Updated May 2006

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Radiology 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Scheduled Test: ADRENAL SCAN WITH I131 IODONORCHOLESTEROL (NP-59)

When:_____________

Date:_____________

Time:_____________

Where:	Nuclear Medicine, 3rd floor Donner Building
Purpose:	To evaluate adrenal glands for cortical tumors.
Preparation:	LUGOL'S SOLUTION by mouth— 16 drops daily starting 2 days prior to injection and continuing through two weeks after injection to block thyroid uptake of 131 I (the ordering physician will prescribe this for you). Women of childbearing age must have a pregnancy test within 48 hours of injection. You also may be prescribed to take a medication called Dexamethasone to maximize the uptake of this tracer in your adrenal glands. Your doctor will instruct you as to how much and how often to take the Dexamethasone.
What to Expect:	You will receive an intravenous injection of a small amount of a radioactive tracer called 131I NP-59 (also known as iodonor- cholesterol). Four to five days later, your abdomen will be imaged to determine if the distribution of the tracer is normal/abnormal. It will take approximately 30 minutes. Occasionally, the physicians may request that you return the following day for additional films.
After Care:	Lugol's two weeks after injection.
Questions:	If you have any questions about your scheduled test, please contact the Nuclear Medicine Department at 215-662-3076.

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Last Updated:12/20/06 ALK