Nuclear Medicine uses small amounts of radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers that are either injected, inhaled, or swallowed. These radiopharmaceuticals are used to help in the diagnosis and treatment of heart, gastrointestinal, endocrine, bone, lung, renal disease, and many types of cancer.
How it works
Nuclear Medicine uses a special camera called a Gamma camera. The gamma camera itself does not give off any type of radiation. The radiopharmaceutical that is given to the patient gives off a small amount of energy in the form of gamma rays. The gamma camera detects this energy, and with the help of a computer, creates pictures that give both the structure and function of the organs and tissues in the body that are being scanned.
What can I expect during my Nuclear Medicine exam?
Nuclear Medicine procedures are usually performed as an outpatient, but occasionally also performed on hospitalized patients as well. When you arrive at the hospital you will be sent to the radiology department where the nuclear medicine department is also located. Once you have arrived in radiology, one of the nuclear medicine technologists will come and get you to bring you down to the nuclear medicine area. Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam you are having, the radiopharmaceutical will then be injected intravenously, swallowed or inhaled.
When it is time for your scan to begin, you will lie flat on the camera bed and the scanner will take a series of images. The camera may rotate around you or it may stay in one position. While the camera is taking pictures you will need to remain still. At times the camera may move very close to your body.
How long does it take?
The length of time the procedures take varies greatly, depending on the type of exam. Actual scanning times for nuclear medicine exams can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours.
Except for the IV start, most nuclear medicine procedures are painless and are rarely associated with significant discomfort or side effects.
Unless your physician tells you otherwise, you may resume your normal daily activities after your nuclear medicine procedure. If any special instructions are needed, you will be told by the technologist.
Through the natural process of decay, the small amount of radiopharmaceutical in your body will lose its radioactivity over time.