Member Services: Nuclear Medicine

What is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear Medicine uses a small amount of radioactive material and an imaging machine to display a picture showing the condition of bone or other body organs. The procedure is safe and painless. the radionuclide is introduced into your body orally or through an injection, and disappears from your system in 1-2 days. The exams are useful in viewing the function of the bone, gallbladder, heart, liver, or thyroid.

Why do I need a Nuclear Medicine scan?
Nuclear medicine scans are used to assess the condition and function of bone or certain body organs. The following are some of the common scans and typical reasons for them:

• Bone scans - used to examine fractures, infections and tumors of bones
• Biliary tract/gall bladder scans - identify existence and severity of disease
• Liver scans - used to check for tumors in the liver
• Lung scans - identify or confirm blood clots of the lungs that could constrict the flow of blood and oxygen to and from the heart
• Renal scan - used to check kidney functions
• Thallium heart scans - used to identify and evaluate disease in coronary arteries
• Thyroid scans - used to examine the thyroid for hyperactivity, tumors, and disease

How do I prepare?
You will receive specific instructions from your doctor, which may require that you fast or refrain from taking certain medicines. Please let the facility know if you are, or suspect you might be, pregnant. You will be asked to answer questions about your medical history including any current medications you currently take. You will also be asked to remove all gold, silver, or other metals you may be wearing.

During the exam:
In most cases, you will be allowed to wear your street clothes into the exam room, where you will lie on a table near the camera. Next, the contrast or radionuclide will be administered and you will be asked to change positions several times as the camera is rotated. Several studies may require a time delay between the injection and scan. You will need to remain perfectly still during the scan.

After the exam:
As soon as the scans have been reviewed for clarity, you will be allowed to go home. Unless your doctor advises otherwise, you may resume normal diet and activities immediately.

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