Medical Imaging Nuclear

A type of diagnostic imaging using small amounts of radioactive material to examine organs and bones. The material is injected, swallowed or inhaled and then detected with a special type of camera that creates pictures. The images can show how a body part is functioning and whether it has a problem such as a tumor or infection. Nuclear medicine can also assess blood flow and the structure of organs.

The Medical Imaging Nuclear common nuclear medicine exams are those that check for heart disease. Doctors can use these scans to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions including heart valve problems, chest pain, muscle weakness, abnormal blood flow and tumors. For these tests, you will lie on an exam table while a nurse or technician inserts a needle into a vein in your hand or arm to administer the radioactive substance. The procedure takes several hours and may cause you to feel anxious, dizzy or nauseous. During the test, you will be asked to rest or move as little as possible to allow the radiotracer to distribute evenly throughout your body.

Nuclear medicine uses a very small amount of radiation (known as a dose) and has no known long-term risks. Doctors have used nuclear medicine for more than six decades and have found the benefits to outweigh the risk of radiation exposure. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) has established guidelines that radiologic technologists must follow to help ensure the safety and accuracy of these procedures.