###1: Nuclear Medicine Whole-Body Views with Technetium-99m and Intravenous Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
###3: This is a nuclear medicine imaging study that creates whole-body pictures showing the distribution of radioactive tracers. A Tc-99m-based tracer and an intravenous CEA-based tracer may be used according to the specific protocol.
["###4: The scan can reveal areas of unusual tracer uptake that may require further evaluation."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 39669-7
- Short code
- NM Whole body Views W Tc99mCEA IV
- Synonyms
- NM Whole body Views W Tc99mCEA IV
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Lavender-top (EDTA)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 5
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- nm
- CPT
- 82378
- SNOMED
- 394995008
- Specimen volume
- 3 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
###5: What the scan does
###6: The scanner detects radiation from the administered tracers and creates images of the entire body. The pattern of tracer distribution can help clinicians investigate possible bone involvement, tumors, or other areas of abnormal activity, depending on the tracer used.
###7: How the scan is performed
###8: You will usually receive the tracer through a vein, lie still on a scanning table, and have the camera moved over your body. The procedure may take from about 20 minutes to more than an hour, depending on the protocol and timing of the images.
###9: Preparation and safety
###10: Follow the instructions provided by the imaging center about food, fluids, medications, and the timing of the scan. Tell the care team if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have recently received radioactive treatment or certain nuclear medicine procedures.
###11: After the scan
###11: You can generally return to your usual activities after the scan. The care team will advise you about hydration and any precautions needed for the tracers used. Your images will be reviewed by a nuclear medicine specialist and shared with your ordering clinician.
Reference range
Non-smokers: <2.5 ng/mL; Smokers: <5.0 ng/mLN/A
No special preparation required. For PSA, avoid sexual activity for 24-48 hours before the test.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
###13: Abnormal tracer uptake can provide important information about the location and extent of disease, but the findings are interpreted together with symptoms, examination findings, and other tests. A normal scan does not exclude every condition, and an abnormal area does not always represent cancer.
Short name
###2: Whole-body nuclear medicine scan with Tc-99m and CEA
Frequently asked questions
###14: Is this the same as a routine CT scan?
###16: Will the scan make me radioactive?
###18: What do the results mean?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy