Newclear Medicine

About Nuclear Medicine

What is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear Medicine is the branch of radiology that uses radioactive materials to determine if certain organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, thyroid, brain and lungs are functioning properly. It is also used to examine the bones for cancer, infection or trauma.

Nuclear medicine imaging procedures often identify abnormalities very early in the progression of a disease, sometimes long before problems are apparent with other diagnostic tests.

How does Nuclear Medicine work?
Nuclear medicine uses very small amounts of low-level radioactive chemicals, called radiopharmaceuticals, which are introduced into the body either intravenously or orally. Radiopharmaceuticals are specially formulated to be collected temporarily in the specific part of the body to be studied.
The radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine emit gamma rays that can be detected externally by a special type of camera. These cameras are used with computers to form images that provide information about the area of body being imaged.
Tracking the radiopharmaceutical as it moves through the organ, can give your doctor invaluable information about how a specific bodily organ is working.
Normally, you will not be required to undress for your Nuclear medicine scan but you may be asked to remove metallic items from your pockets and clothing.
There should be little or no discomfort involved in the test.
Nuclear medicine procedures are safe, effective and painless.

What about radiation?
The amount of radiation from a nuclear medicine procedure is comparable to that received during a diagnostic x-ray. (See radiation page)
The radiologist and technologist are trained in radiation safety procedures. The radioisotopes used in this kind of testing are specifically designed for human use, and are administered in the smallest possible doses needed to achieve quality imaging results. In most cases the radioactivity is quickly eliminated from the body within 12 hours of the test being completed.
There is no reaction or side effect to any of these Nuclear Medicine tests, and you can usually resume normal activities as soon as the test is completed.

How do I prepare for my test?
There are a number of different Nuclear Medicine tests and the preparation varies. When you make your appointment you will be given all the necessary instructions. Please write these down, if you have any questions at all regarding your test call us and we will answer them. (See also Nuclear Medicine Preparation guide.)

How long will the test take?
How the test is performed depends on the type of scan your physician has ordered. In many cases there will be a delay between the time you are given the isotope and the time the scan is actually done, this is to give the isotope time to flow through the body and concentrate in the organ that is being examined.
In some cases, a series of scans will be taken with a delay of an hour or two between them. In most studies the patient lies comfortably on a table. The camera is positioned over the body and is moved or rotated around the patient depending on the test. The camera senses the radioactive substance and highlights and displays this information on a computer screen.
The results are interpreted by a radiologist with special qualifications in Nuclear Medicine. Some Nuclear Medicine tests are very complex and it may take time for the information to be analyzed and reported. The results of these tests will usually be sent directly to your referring doctor and may take two or three days.

Nuclear Medicine studies are not recommended for pregnant women or nursing mothers.