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Home > Services > Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology > Diagnostic radiology > Nuclear medicine
Nuclear medicine is a type of imaging that utilizes radioactive material. While X-rays and CT scans gather images by passing radiation from an outside source into the body, nuclear medicine puts the radiation into the body, where it gives off energy that is visible with a specialized camera. The radiation used is a very low dose, and this type of testing has proven to be safe, although certain precautions are recommended.
Depending on the area of the body being studied, the material may be injected, swallowed, or inhaled. The images are taken with a gamma camera, or by positron emission photography, more commonly known as a PET scan. The gamma camera or PET scan is used in combination with a computer that can measure the amount of radioactive material to create detailed images that give information about the function of organs and tissues.
Some common uses of nuclear medicine include:
Listed below are some of the types of nuclear medicine tests and treatments offered at Community Hospital.
Nuclear bone scan
Nuclear perfusion stress test
PET/CT Scan
Depending on the area of the body being studied, the radioactive material will either be injected, swallowed, or inhaled. If material in given intravenously, you may feel a cool sensation running up your arm at the time of the injection. The material is tasteless if swallowed and if inhaled, it should feel no different than breathing air.
The material needs to accumulate in the area being studied, so the exam may take place shortly after the radioactive material is administered, or it may take several hours, or even several days.
When it is time for the exam, you will be asked to lie on an exam table. If your exam is not a PET scan, a gamma camera will be used. The camera will be located either over the table at the end of an adjustable arm, or it will be under the exam table. During the exam, the camera will move around you, and at times it will be positioned very close to your body. You will need to be very still during the scanning. The scanning generally takes about 20 minutes, but for some exams you will need several scans spaced over a period of several hours, or even several days, to compare images and gather more information about the function of certain systems.
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Community Hospital has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology, signifying that it is a top-quality provider of safe, effective diagnostic imaging for those at high risk for lung cancer.
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