DaT scan

A patient takes two iodine tablets and waits for one hour. These pills are important because they prevent the accumulation of radioactive substances in the thyroid gland. After one hour, the patient gets an injection to the shoulder, which contains the radiopharmaceutical, and then waits for 4 hours. The concentration of the substance increases, and then it is scanned by a gamma-camera, which is located around the patient's head. The whole examination lasts about 30–45 minutes, and it is non-invasive. If a patient uses certain medications listed below, it is necessary to stop usage for a few days or weeks before the DaTSCAN, but only after a consultation with the patient's doctor. The examination takes just a few hours, so patients do not need to stay in a hospital overnight, but they have to drink much more than they are used to and go to the toilet more often. It is important for a fast elimination of the radioactive substances from the body. == Contraindications ==

• pregnancy • breast-feeding • severe renal or hepatic insufficiency • certain medications – stimulants or noradrenalin and some antidepressants == Differential Diagnosis ==

• Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy or progressive supranuclear palsy • Essential tremor • Lewy body disease == References ==