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Radiology Nuclear Medicine
Click here to learn more about
your nuclear medicine study
A nuclear medicine procedure is sometimes described as an "inside-out"
X-ray because it records radiation emitting from the patient's body rather
than radiation that is directed through the patient's body. Nuclear
medicine procedures use small amounts of radioactive
materials, called radiopharmaceuticals, to create images of the anatomy.
Radiopharmaceuticals are substances that are attracted to specific organs,
bones or tissues. They are introduced into the patient's body by
injection, swallowing or inhalation. As the radiopharmaceutical
travels through the body, it produces radioactive emissions. A special
type of camera detects these emissions in the organ, bone or tissue being
imaged and records the information on a computer screen or film.
Nuclear medicine is unique because it documents function as well
as structure. For example, nuclear medicine allows physicians
to see how the heart is functioning, not just what it looks like. Most
other diagnostic imaging tests, in comparison, reveal only structure.
Nuclear medicine procedures are performed to assess the function of nearly
every organ. Common nuclear medicine procedures include thyroid
studies, brain scans, bone scans, lung scans, cardiac stress tests, and
liver and gallbladder procedures.
There are more than 100 different nuclear medicine examinations.
We will try to offer a general introduction to ten of the most
common tests. For more detailed information, visit the Society of
Nuclear Medicine's Web site at
http://www.snm.org
Procedure: Before your examination, a nuclear medicine
technologist will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you
might have. Advise the technologist if you have any allergies
or if you are undergoing radiation therapy. These factors may
require adjustments in how the examination is performed. Advise the
technologist if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Nuclear medicine
tests usually are not recommended for pregnant women.
To learn more about your
Nuclear Medicine study please click on the following exams:
MIBI Scan
Bone Scan
Gallium Scan
Gastric Emptying Study
GI Bleeding Scan
Hepatobiliary (HIDA) Scan
Lung Scan
Renal Scan for Infection or Tumor
Renal Scan for High Blood Pressure
Thyroid Scan and Uptake
White Blood Cell Scan
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