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Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging
Nuclear MedicineNuclear Medicine is a specialized area of radiology that uses small amounts of radioactive material, called isotopes, to examine the function and structure of organs in the bodyNuclear medicine is also used to treat the thyroid for hyperthyroidism and the early stages of cancer. With most nuclear medicine procedures you will receive an injection of an isotope into a vein in your arm. Depending upon the type of procedure you are having, you will return later (sometime an hour or more) to have your images taken. Some exams even require you to return over the course of several days.
When you have returned at the requested time, you will be asked to lie on a table. The nuclear medicine camera is positioned over the body part being imaged and will remain in that position, sometimes 15 minutes or longer, while the images are being acquired. As with any X-ray, inform the technologist if there is any possibility that you may be pregnant. The radiologist will interpret the images and a report will be sent to your doctor.
Call (610) 402-TEST (8378) to schedule these exams.
The following are frequently ordered nuclear medicine procedures: Bone ScanA bone scan is an exam used to detect abnormalities within the bones in the body. You will return approximately two to two and a half hours after receiving the injection of the isotope. The imaging portion of the procedure usually takes about one hour. Gallium ScanA Gallium scan will identify abnormal or inflamed tissue in the body. You will receive the injection one to three days before the scan. You will be notified what time to return. The scan takes approximately one hour. There is a possibility you will be asked to return on two separate days for additional images. Myocardial Stress TestA stress test is an exercise test done to diagnose heart disease and to evaluate the cause of symptoms, such as chest pain. This test will evaluate your heart function and establish the amount of exercise or strenuous work your heart can handle. Before having this test you will be examined by a cardiologist, who will be present throughout the exercise portion of your test. First you will lie on the nuclear medicine table and have the resting portion of your test. This part takes about 15 minutes. You will then go to the stress lab for the exercise portion of your test. You will be walking on a treadmill while the speed and steepness is varied. If you are unable to walk on the treadmill, a special medication will be given to you to increase your heart rate. When your heartbeat reaches the appropriate range, an isotope will be injected into an intravenous (IV) in your arm. This exercise part usually takes about one hour. You will then be returned to the nuclear medicine department for the remainder of the scanning. This last part takes about 45 to 75 minutes. Thyroid Uptake and ScanThis procedure is done to evaluate the structure of your thyroid gland and assesses its function. This scan is used to evaluate hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, nodules and goiters. This is a three-part procedure. For the first part of the test you will be asked to swallow a small radioactive iodine capsule. You will be asked to return six hours later, to have some uptake measurements taken with a nuclear medicine probe and images taken with a nuclear medicine camera. This unit will placed in front of your throat for about 20 minutes. You will be asked to return the next day for some additional measurements. This part will take approximately 30 minutes.
Need Help?
Call 610-402-CARE (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday) to talk to nurses and other experts who can help you find a doctor and more. This page last updated 10/27/08 11:29 AM
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