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:

• analyzing kidney function
• visualizing heart blood flow and function (such as a nuclear perfusion scan)
• scanning lungs for respiratory and blood flow problems
• identifying inflammation in the gallbladder
• determining the presence or spread of cancer in various parts of the body
• measuring thyroid function
• investigating abnormalities in the brain, such as seizures and memory loss, and abnormalities in blood flow.

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

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure.

• Metal objects can affect the images. Jewelry and other metal accessories such a glasses and hairpins will need to be removed before the exam.

• Be sure your doctor is aware of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions; if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems; or if there is a possibility that you may be pregnant.

• Depending on the type of exam, your doctor may give you more specific instructions.

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.