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• General Diagnostic Radiology Info

Nuclear Imaging

Using internally administered radioactive tracers, Nuclear Medicine testing provides patients and their doctors with consultation and diagnosis.  Diagnostic procedures include scintigraphic imaging of the brain, bones, thyroid, heart, lungs and kidneys.

What is Nuclear Medicine?

In nuclear medicine, the unique characteristics of chemicals called radiopharmaceuticals are used for diagnosis, treatment and research in medicine. Typically, a small amount of a radiopharmaceutical is introduced into the body by injection, ingestion or inhalation. The radiopharmaceutical is attracted to particular organs, bones or other tissues. From different locations within the body, the radioisotope releases small amounts of energy (radiation) that can be detected outside the body by special “cameras.” These cameras record the movement and localization of radiopharmaceuticals in the body. The resulting 2- and 3-dimensional images document the structure and function (metabolic, physiologic and pathologic) of the tissue or organ of interest. Physicians examine these images to evaluate and diagnose a large number of diseases.