Nuclear Medicine offered from NWR

Nuclear Medicine is a Radiology specialty that is used to diagnose and treat diseases in a safe and painless manner.  This imaging is unique because it provides information about both structure and function of certain organs.  Nuclear Medicine procedures often identify abnormalities in the early stages of disease allowing treatment to begin sooner. 

This imaging modality uses very small, safe amounts of short-lived radioactive tracers that are introduced into the body by intravenous injection, swallowing, or inhalation.  Different radiopharmaceuticals are used to image different organs in the body.  These tracers unique ability to localize in specific organs allows Nuclear Medicine to evaluate disease on the cellular level rather than relying on anatomy alone. 

Since its first clinical use in the 1930’s, Nuclear Medicine has become a valuable tool in many subspecialties, such as, oncology, endocrinology, orthopedics, urology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and neurology.  PET-CT scans are also a division of Nuclear Medicine.  More information on PET-CT is available in its own section of this publication.

Nuclear medicine procedures are generally not recommended for pregnant women.  If you are pregnant, or think that you may be, please consult your physician.  Please inform the technologist if breastfeeding.

What to Expect

Certain Nuclear Medicine procedures require some preparation before the scan can be performed.  Depending on which type of exam, you may be asked not to eat or drink for a certain amount of time.  Other exams require you to be off of certain medications.  Please consult your physician or NWR if you have not received instructions. 

Depending on the type of nuclear medicine study that you are having performed, imaging can take anywhere from a half-hour to two hours.  You will receive a small, safe amount of a radioactive tracer either by injection, by mouth, or by inhalation.  The amount of radiation from a nuclear medicine procedure is comparable to, or often less than, that of a diagnostic x-ray.  This radioactive tracer passes from the body naturally within hours to days.  The radioactive tracer accumulates in the organ or tissues that are being imaged.  A nuclear medicine gamma camera acquires the images which are then reviewed by a board certified radiologist. 

For some nuclear medicine scans, imaging is performed immediately after you receive the radioactive tracer.  For some scans, you will be able to leave the office and return a few hours later for your scan.  You may be asked to return for additional scans over the course of the next few days.  This is all dependent on the type of exam you are having. 

Just before your exam, you will be asked to remove metal items such as watches, belt buckles, keys and coins from your pockets. The technologist will explain the procedure and answer your questions.  You will then be asked to lie down on a padded table.  The camera will be placed over the area to be imaged.  At all times, the camera will be open on the sides.  After your scan is complete, a board certified radiologist will interpret your study, and a report will be sent to your physician.  The technologist will not be able to tell you the results of your exam.

Whole Body Bone Scan - 3 Phase Bone Scan -Bone SPECT

• No Preparation needed - patients may eat and drink normally before having a Bone Scan
• All Bone Scan patients will arrive for an injection in a vein in their arm; then return approximately 2 hrs later for imaging
• Patients will be asked to drink extra fluids after the injection
• Imaging will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour upon return

Hepatobiliary (HIDA) Scan

• Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to exam
• Patients will receive an injection in a vein in their arm
• Scan will take approximately 1½ to 2 hours

Renal Scan

• Patients should be well hydrated prior to this exam
• Patients will receive an injection in a vein in their arm
• Imaging will take approximately 30 - 45 minutes

Thyroid Uptake and Scan

• Nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to exam
• Patients must be off all thyroid medication. The time frame varies depending on the medication - Please call your physician or our office for instructions.
• Patients should not have received X-ray/CT contrast for 6 weeks prior to this exam
• Patients will swallow capsules on initial visit and return at 6 hours and 24 hours after ingestion for imaging
• Imaging at 6 hours after ingestion will take approximately 45 minutes. Imaging at 24 hours after
• ingestion will take approximately 10 minutes.