What is Lymphoscintigram

Lymphoscintigram is a procedure to check for problems in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps your body fight germs, like bacteria and viruses. It is part of the body’s disease-fighting system (immune system). The lymphatic system includes:

• Lymph nodes. These are tissues that filter germs and waste from your blood. They are found in various places in your body, including the abdomen, underarms, and groin.
• Lymph vessels. These drain fluid from body tissues (lymph) into the lymph nodes.

You may need this procedure:

• To check your lymph nodes for cancer cells.
• To help your health care provider plan a surgery or biopsy for certain cancers.
• To find a blockage in your lymphatic system.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Damage to the lymph vessels or lymph nodes.
• Infection or bruising at the injection site.
• Exposure to a small amount of radiation. This increases your cancer risk by a very small amount.
• Allergic reaction to the radiotracer. This is rare.

What happens before the procedure?

• Ask your health care provider about changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• You will be asked to remove all metal jewelry and accessories, including watches and hearing aids.
• If you are breastfeeding, ask your health care provider if you need to pump before your test and stop breastfeeding temporarily.

What happens during the procedure?

• An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
• Radiotracer will be injected into the body. The injection may be given:
  • Through your IV.
  • Into a blood vessel in your forearm.
  • Near the area of your cancer, if cancer evaluation is the reason for your procedure.
  • Between your toes or fingers, if checking for a blockage is the reason for your procedure. This may be done if you have leg or arm swelling.
• The special camera will take images as the radiotracer moves through your body. The radiotracer helps the lymphatic system show up clearly in the images. While this is happening:
  • The camera may move up, down, and around you, or it may stay still.
  • You may be asked to stay still, change positions, get up and do an exercise, or perform another task between images.
• A handheld probe may be placed over certain places on your body. The probe helps your health care provider see the body area in more detail.
• Your skin may be marked to show the location of lymph nodes.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals. The procedure may also vary depending on why you are having it done.

What can I expect after the procedure?

• You will be monitored to make sure that you do not have a reaction to the procedure or the radiotracer.
• You may need to wait for a period of time to make sure that the images produced during the procedure are acceptable.
• After your procedure, it is common to have soreness, redness, or slight swelling at your IV site or injection site. This should go away within a day or two.
• A small amount of radioactivity from the radiotracer will leave your body in your stool and urine. The amount of radioactivity is too small to be dangerous to you or to others.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow. This helps the radiotracer leave your body over the next few days.
• Return to your normal diet as directed by your health care provider.
• Return to your normal activities as directed by your health care provider.
• If you are breastfeeding, do not breastfeed your child until your health care provider says it is safe to do so.
• It is up to you to get the results of your procedure. Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the procedure, when your results will be ready.

Contact a health care provider if you have:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling at your IV site or injection site that does not go away after a day or two.
• A fever.
• Nausea.
• Itching or a rash.

Get help right away if you have:

• Chest pain.
• Trouble breathing.

Summary

• Lymphoscintigram is a procedure to check for problems with the lymphatic system.
• During this procedure, a radioactive substance (radiotracer) is injected into your bloodstream or near the site of a tumor. Then, a special camera creates images of the lymphatic system. The radiotracer helps the lymphatic system show up clearly in the images.
• You may need this procedure if your health care provider wants to check your lymph nodes for cancer cells, plan a surgery or do a biopsy for certain cancers, or find a blockage in your lymphatic system.
• The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals. The procedure may also vary depending on why you are having it done.