Nuclear Medicine
What is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine is a specialty within the field of radiology. This type of exam uses radioactive tracers to evaluate body functions, and provides diagnostic information in the form of images and measurements. The purpose is to detect changes in normal physiology that could represent injury or a diseased state. Exams are performed by licensed Nuclear Medicine Technologists. The studies are reviewed and evaluated by Radiologists, who are doctors specially trained in diagnostic imaging.
How does it work?
The patient is given a small dose of radioactive material, usually as an intravenous injection or in some cases, orally. This compound, called a radiopharmaceutical or "tracer," gives off energy as gamma rays. As the tracer circulates and localizes throughout the body, the gamma rays can be collected and measured on a scanner called a gamma scintillation camera. From this information, images are produced and processed for evaluation.
Why would you need this exam?
Nuclear Medicine studies can provide your physician with important information involving the function of you kidneys, heart, lungs, digestive system, or gallbladder. Tumors, infection, bone injury, and other disorders can be detected by evaluating the pattern of uptake by the tissues. These studies are also used to evaluate the response to treatment or therapy in the healing process. Pre-exam instructions for a Nuclear Medicine exam.
Pre-exam instructions for a Nuclear Medicine exam
If you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, or are breast feeding, please tell your doctor. Since radioactive materials are used for these studies, you may be advised to have a different type of examination.
In most situations, special preparation for a Nuclear Medicine exam is minimal. Depending on the type of exam, you may be asked to refrain from certain foods or medications, or to fast for the test. For most exams, it is best to wear loose, comfortable clothing, free of metal objects. You may be asked to remove jewelry or any material that might interfere with the scan.
To schedule your Nuclear Medicine exam, please call us at (707) 525-4040. The radiopharmaceutical is prepared specifically for each patient at a special pharmacy. Therefore, if you need to cancel, please call us at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled exam time.
The day of your exam
On the day of your exam, please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Please be ready to present your insurance information when you check in. Once you have registered, our technologist will escort you to the Nuclear Medicine Department where your history will be reviewed, you will be further informed about your procedure, and your study will be performed. If you have an indwelling injection port is in place, additional time may be necessary for the access placement.
Depending on which type of scan is being performed, you will be given a dose of radiopharmaceutical specific for the organ or tissue being evaluated. The imaging may be performed immediately or there may be a time delay before the exam to allow the tracer to go to its target area. Imaging time typically ranges from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
Our technologist will ask you to remain as still as possible while the images are being obtained. This is especially important during some of the longer exams. A restful and comfortable environment is provided during the scanning process. You may be allowed to be accompanied by an adult companion during the scan, but children will not be admitted to the department.
After your exam
After the examination, you may resume your normal routine, including a regular diet and medications unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. You may be instructed to increase fluids following the scan to help eliminate residual materials from your body. Your scan will be evaluated by our Radiologists with a report sent promptly to your referring physician, who will be able to review the results with you.
Nuclear Medicine side effects
Some temporary discomfort may be experienced if an intravenous injection is required for the exam. The tracer compounds are eliminated through normal body wastes and any residual radioactive component decays rapidly from the system. You should not have unusual reactions or changes in body functions related to the scan. If you do, you should call your doctor.