What
is NUCLEAR MEDICINE?
Nuclear medicine is a branch of radiology that uses radioactive materials
to determine if certain organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, thyroid,
brain and lungs are working properly. It is also used to examine the bones
for cancer, infection or trauma.
Common uses of this procedure.
A unique aspect of a nuclear medicine test is its extreme sensitivity
to abnormalities in an organ's structure or function. As an integral part
of patient care, nuclear medicine is used in the diagnosis, management,
treatment and prevention of serious disease. Nuclear medicine imaging
procedures often identify abnormalities very early in the progression
of a disease --long before some medical problems are apparent with other
diagnostic test. This early detection allows a disease to be treated early
in its course when there may be a more successful prognosis.
Although nuclear medicine
is commonly used for diagnostic purposes, it also has valuable therapeutic
applications such as treatment of hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, blood
imbalances, and pain relief from certain types of bone cancer.
How
does it work?
Before the test begins you will be given a small amount of radioactive
material called a radioisotope, this will be injected or swallowed. There
should be little or no discomfort involved in the test. Nuclear medicine
procedures are safe, effective and painless.
How the test is performed depends on the type of scan your physician has
ordered. In many cases there will be a delay between the time you are
given the isotope and the time the scan is actually made. This allows
the isotope time to flow through the body and concentrate in the organ
that is being examined. In some cases, a series of scans will be taken
with a delay of an hour or two between them.
By tracking the isotope as it moves through the organ, it can give your
doctor invaluable information about how a specific bodily organ is working.
In most studies the patient lies comfortably on a table. A large camera
is positioned over the body and is moved or rotated around the patient
depending on the test. The camera senses the radioactive substance and
highlights and displays this information on a screen or film.
Benefits VS risks of a Nuclear Medicine procedure?
| Benefits | Risks |
Nuclear medicine is a safe, painless, and cost-effective way of gathering information that may otherwise be unavailable or require more expensive and risky diagnostic test |
|
Nuclear medicine imaging procedures often identify abnormalities very early in the progression of a disease --long before some medical problems are apparent with other diagnostic test. This early detection allows a disease to be treated early in its course when there may be a more successful prognosis. |
|
Nuclear medicine procedures are among the safest diagnostic imaging exams available. A patient only receives an extremely small amount of a radiopharmaceutical, just enough to provide sufficient diagnostic information. In fact, the amount of radiation from a nuclear medicine procedure is comparable to, or often times less than, that of a diagnostic x-ray. |
Patient Comfort.
Unless your doctor advises otherwise, you may resume normal diet and activities
immediately.
Preparation
required.
There is no general set of instructions for all nuclear medicine examinations.
Your physician will give you instructions on how to prepare for the exam.
It is important to follow these instructions to ensure the most accurate
diagnostic results. Nuclear Medicine studies are not recommended for pregnant
women or nursing mothers.
After
the test.
The patient may leave immediately following the exam because the Nuclear
Medicine has no side effects.
Results
of the test
At SDMI, we have a radiologist on site at all times so the test will be
interpreted promptly. The results will be phoned, faxed, mailed, or delivered
electronically to the referring physician. He/she will share the results
with the patient.
I
am ready to schedule an appointment.
To schedule a NUCLEAR MEDICINE PROCEDURE with SDMI, please call 732 -
6000
A
Partial List of Why Physicians Order Nuclear Medicine Studies
| Neurologic Applications: |
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| Oncologic Applications: |
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| Orthopedic Applications: |
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| Renal Applications: |
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| Cardiac Applications: |
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| Pulmonary Applications: |
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| Other Applications: |
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