The HMPAO white cell scan is a test used to find areas of infection and inflammation within the body. We run this test by taking a sample of blood from a vein in your arm, add a radioactive tracer into the white cells from the sample before re-injecting it back into your arm.

The tracer is a material that is not absorbed by the body, it will travel through your blood stream. We can then take pictures using a special camera as it passes through.

What happens?

1. On arrival, we will take a blood sample from your arm. We will usually book a morning appointment for you
2. This sample will then be sent to another hospital, where the tracer will be added to the sample. You are free to leave the department and can eat and drink normally during this time
3. We will receive the blood sample back and let you know when you can return to the department. We can then re-inject the blood in the vein in your arm, and take the first series of pictures which will take around 40 minutes. It is important that you keep still during this procedure
4. We will let you know when you can leave the department, after we let you know when you can visit the following day
5. On your second visit, we will take another series of pictures just the same as your first visit. 

After the procedure

We will check the quality of your scan and let you know the results.

There are no side effects from the injection, so it will not make you feel sleepy or affect your ability to drive.

There is no need to many any changes to your routine, as the radiation dose from this procedure is very small. You can eat and drink normally after the test.