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What is General Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine is part of imaging services. This test produces pictures of the body and measures the function of organs. Generally, radiation involved in this test is safe and is similar to a standard x-ray exam.
What are some common uses of the procedure?
Nuclear medicine images can assist the physician in diagnosing diseases. Tumors, infection and other disorders can be detected by evaluating organ function. Specifically, nuclear medicine can be used to:
- Analyze kidney function
- Image blood flow and function of the heart
- Scan lungs for respiratory and blood-flow problems
- Identify blockage of the gallbladder
- Evaluate bones for fracture, infection, arthritis or tumor
- Determine the presence or spread of cancer
- Identify bleeding into the bowel
- Locate the presence of infection
- Measure thyroid function to detect an overactive or under active thyroid
How does the procedure work?
You are given a small dose of radioactive material, usually intravenously but sometimes orally, that stops in specific body organ systems. This compound, called a radio pharmaceutical or tracer collects in the organ and gives off energy. The camera detects the rays and works with a computer to produce pictures of organs and tissues.
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