Nuclear Medicine

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Nuclear Medicine involves the use of radioactive isotopes (radioisotopes) to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Information gathered during a nuclear medicine technique is more comprehensive than other imaging procedures because it describes organ function, not just structure. The result is that many diseases and cancers can be diagnosed much earlier. Unlike other imaging technologies like X-ray or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that provide structural or geographic information, nuclear medicine detects activity on a molecular level. 

HOW IS THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED

In nuclear medicine diagnosing techniques, very small amounts of radioactive materials are introduced into the body either through injection or oral administration. Because they are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues, the benign radiation emissions these compounds produce can provide crucial information about a particular type of cancer or disease. These areas absorb the radioisotope in quantities greater than those absorbed by surrounding tissues.  The radioisotope highlights the area to be examined thus permitting images of the internal body structures and other functions.  Because of this, a nuclear medicine scan can detect things like cancerous lesions in the lungs well before they are large enough to be identified by other means.

Who interprets the results and how do I get them?

NWDC Diagnostic Imaging has an agreement with a group of board-certified radiologists to facilitate our procedures and interpret the results.  A diagnostic report will be sent to your doctor within forty-eight (48) hours of your procedure.  In the event of an abnormal test result, the radiologist will contact your doctor's office by telephone.

PREPARING FOR THE PROCEDURE

Depending on the examination to be done, special requirements, such as food and drink restrictions, will vary.  Patients will be given specific instructions when the examination is scheduled.  Patients may be asked to come several hours before the actual exam in order to be administered the radiopharmaceutical; then asked to return at the scheduled time for the examination.  Because nuclear medicine procedures utilize very small doses of short-lived isotopes (ones that only stay radioactive for a few hours or days), the amount of radiation received is generally less than or equal to that of an x-ray.