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Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine was developed to study the function of internal organs. This imaging test differs from conventional X-ray, which determines the presence of disease based on structural appearance. Nuclear medicine can often determine abnormalities too challenging for conventional x-ray. The bone, heart, lungs, thyroid, gallbladder and liver are the organs most often studied. Nuclear medicine is often used to gauge the blood supply; diseases of the bone; certain lung and abdominal abnormalities; infections; and thyroid problems. Nuclear medicine relies on a small amount of radioactive material called a tracer and a special camera to capture an image. The tracer may be injected, inhaled or swallowed.
How should I Prepare for a Nuclear Medicine exam?
There are various preparations for each exam, please confirm with our office for specifics when scheduling your appointment.
Prior to having pictures taken, you will be given a small amount of a radioactive material. This will be taken up specifically by the part of the body that will be imaged. You will then need to wait for a pre-determined amount of time until the images may be obtained.
What Happens During the Procedure?
You will be escorted into the Nuclear Medicine room, and asked to lie on a soft padded table. Table time will vary depending on the exam being performed. Typically the average nuclear medicine exam is about 30 to 60 minutes.
Pregnancy Policy:
All patients of childbearing age (10 - 54) will be required to sign that there is No Chance of Pregnancy prior to an imaging exam being performed (Exception: - Ultrasound). If there is a chance of pregnancy, STAT blood work will be ordered prior to the procedure being performed to establish that there is no chance of pregnancy.
In the event, you are pregnant and the exam is deemed necessary by your physician, you will be shielded and monitored with a radiation badge.