NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Nuclear Medicine is used as a tool in which images are created using a special camera that images organs and tissues in the body, after the administration of a radioactive "tracer" (radionuclide or radioisotope).

A very small amount of radioactive "tracer", specific for the organ or tissue to be scanned, is injected into a vein by a Nuclear Medicine technologist. Images may be taken during the injection, immediately after the injection, or after a delayed period to allow the tracer to distribute to the organ or tissue of interest. The gamma rays emitted by the tracer are detected by a special camera that is positioned near the organ or part of the body being imaged.

The amount of radiation from a nuclear medicine procedure is comparable to that received during a routine x-ray. The tracer only remains in the body for a short period of time before being eliminated in the urine or stool. Nuclear Medicine is commonly used for the following:

Cardiac Stress Tests
MUGA Scans
Hepatobiliary Scans
Thyroid Scans
Parathyroid Scans
Renal Scans
Ceretec Scans
3 Phase Bone Scans
Gastric Emptying Scans