Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine is an advanced diagnostic tool that uses a special camera that images organs and tissues in the body after the administration of a small amount of radioactive “tracer” to make them visible.
What You Need To Know
This exam uses a small amount of radioactive material to diagnosis and determine the severity of or to treat a variety of disease, including:
- Many types of cancer
- Heart disease
- Gastrointestinal
- Endocrine
- Neurological disorders
- Other abnormalities in the body
- The amount of radiation from a nuclear medicine procedure is comparable to that received during a routine X-ray.
- The clinical benefits of medical imaging typically outweigh the potential risks of radiation exposure, but please talk with your doctor if you have any concerns.
- A small amount of radioactive material or “tracer” is used. It only remains in the body for a short period of time before being eliminated in the urine or stool, typically within 24 hours.
What To Expect
- You’ll receive a call in advance to discuss your procedure.
- If you have had an X-ray procedure using barium contrast material (such as a barium swallow or enema) or have taken a medication (such as Pepto-Bismol) that contains bismuth within the four days prior to your scan appointment, please notify the scheduling or technical staff when making your appointment. Barium and bismuth may interfere with the procedure’s results.
- For some procedures, there will be a waiting period of one to three hours after the radioactive tracer is injected before your procedure is performed. You may want to bring something to pass the time. You may also be permitted to leave the center for a short period of time and return to have the scan completed.
- Most nuclear medicine procedures do not require any special preparations, except for gastrointestinal or gallbladder studies, for which you will be required to fast. Our staff will provide you with specific instructions when you make the appointment, if this applies to you. You may be asked to drink a lot of fluid during the waiting period and you will be asked to empty your bladder just before the procedure begins.
- Be sure to tell us if you are pregnant, nursing, or if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure time.
- When you arrive, you will be led to a changing room and given a pair of scrubs to wear for your exam. You will be given a locker to store your clothes, and anything else you may have with you during your exam.
- For some procedures, there will be a waiting period of one to three hours after the radioactive tracer is injected before your procedure is performed. You may want to bring something to pass the time. You may also be permitted to leave the center for a short period of time and return to have the scan completed.
- The technologist will help position you on a cushioned table.
- The gamma camera will be positioned closely to your body. It may be stationary or it may move slowly above and around your body.
- The technologist will give you instructions during the exam. It is very important that you don’t move during the exam as motion may cause the images to blur. Blurry images mean that you might need to repeat parts of the procedure.
- The technologist will be in constant communication with you during the procedure, and will be present in or near the exam room for the entire procedure.
- When your scan is complete, you’ll be escorted back to the changing room so you can change out of the scrubs back into your clothing.
- Once you have changed, your appointment is complete. You do not need to check out with the front desk when you leave.
- After the exam, your images will be sent electronically to one of our radiologists. This radiologist will review the information and send a report to your referring provider, typically within one to two business days.
- You should follow up with your referring provider to discuss your results.