← BackWhat is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine uses radioactive isotopes also called radiopharmaceuticals, to identify physiologic processes in the body. The amount and type of radioactive isotope used depends on the type of examination that is being performed.
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.
All Nuclear Medicine Scans are performed by Rhode Island Licensed Technologists that have Board Certification in Nuclear Medicine (NM) by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (www.arrt.org) or Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (www.nmtcb.org).
Your studies are reviewed and interpreted by Radiologists that are Board Certified by the American Board of Radiology (www.theabr.org).
Types of Nuclear Medicine Scans
- Bone Scan
- Thyroid
- Nuclear Treatment
- VQ / Perfusion Scan
- WBC / White Blood Cell
- Gastric Emptying
- Sentinel Node Imaging
- Nuclear Cardiology
