About Nuclear medicine
Nuclear medicine is a specialty of radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive materials, to image or measure a function of an organ and to diagnose or treat certain diseases. Different types of radioactive materials are available. The type used will depend on the body part being studied. The patient will inhale, swallow, or be injected with a radioactive material. The radiation then is detected by a special type of camera called gamma camera.
Common Nuclear Medicine procedures performed for:
- Analyze kidney function and drainage.
- Image blood flow and function of the heart.
- Scan lungs for pulmonary embolism.
- Evaluate bones for fracture, infection, arthritis, etc.
- Locate and confirm the presence of infection.
- Measure thyroid function to detect an overactive thyroid gland.
