Nuclear Medicine

NUCLEAR MEDICINE
- is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose and
determine the severity of or treat a variety of diseases, including many types of cancers, heart disease,
gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological disorders and other abnormalities within the body. Because
nuclear medicine procedures are able to pinpoint molecular activity within the body, they offer the
potential to identify disease in its earliest stages as well as a patient’s immediate response to
therapeutic interventions.
Parts of the Machine
Uses of the Machine
 Nuclear medicine is a medical speciality that involves giving a patient a small amount of radioactive medication,
called a radiopharmaceutical. This makes the body slightly radioactive for a short time. A special nuclear
medicine camera detects the radiation, which is emitted (released) from the body, and takes images or pictures
of how the inside of the body is working. Many different organs can be imaged depending on the type of
radioactive medication used. The radioactive medication is most commonly injected into the blood stream
through a vein, but might be given in different ways, including:
 swallowed;
 injected directly into the tissue beneath the skin;
 injected into a shunt;
 injected into a joint; or
 inhaled (breathed in).
 Only a very small amount of radiopharmaceutical is given to keep the radiation dose to a minimum.
 Nuclear medicine can also be used to treat some diseases or conditions. In these cases, the amount of
radiopharmaceutical given is much greater, and it mostly goes to the diseased or abnormal organ. The type of
radiopharmaceutical given usually emits ionising radiation that has the maximum effect on the part of the body
or organ system being treated
Radiologic Procedures
 For a nuclear medicine exam, the patient is given a small amount of radioisotope, either orally or by injection, to
enhance the visualization of selected organs or vascular structures. Once the radioisotope has accumulated in
the region of the body under study, the technologist positions a camera close to the region and begins the
scanning process. The images are viewed on a computer monitor after the examination by a specially trained
physician who will communicate the results to your own doctor.
Safety Concerns
 As with any radiologic procedure, pregnant women should consult with their physician before undergoing a
nuclear medicine exam. Generally, nuclear medicine scans are not performed on pregnant women. Patients
should also make sure their physician knows what medications they are taking and if they are a nursing mother
before undergoing a nuclear medicine exam.
Steps of the Procedure
 You will be positioned on an examination table. If necessary, a nurse or technologist will insert an intrevenous
(IV) catheter into a vein in your hand or arm.
 Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam you are undergoing, the dose of radiotracer is then injected
intravenously, swallowed or inhaled as a gas.
 It can take anywhere from several seconds to several days for the radiotracer to travel through your body and
accumulate in the organ or area being studied. As a result, imaging may be done immediately, a few hours later,
or even several days after you have received the radioactive material
 When it is time for the imaging to begin, the camera or scanner will take a series of images. The camera may
rotate around you or it may stay in one position and you will be asked to change positions in between images.
While the camera is taking pictures, you will need to remain still for brief periods of time. In some cases, the
camera may move very close to your body. This is necessary to obtain the best quality images. If you are
claustrophobic, you should inform the technologist before your exam begins.
 If a probe is used, this small hand-held device will be passed over the area of the body being studied to measure
levels of radioactivity. Other nuclear medicine tests measure radioactivity levels in blood, urine or breath.
 The length of time for nuclear medicine procedures varies greatly, depending on the type of exam. Actual
scanning time for nuclear imaging exams can take from 20 minutes to several hours and may be conducted over
several days.
 When the examination is completed, you may be asked to wait until the technologist checks the images in case
additional images are needed. Occasionally, more images are obtained for clarification or better visualization of
certain areas or structures. The need for additional images does not necessarily mean there was a problem with
the exam or that something abnormal was found, and should not be a cause of concern for you.

Nuclear Medicine

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Nuclear Medicine

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Nuclear Medicine

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Parts of the Machine

Uses of the Machine

Steps of the Procedure

You might also like