Nuclear Medicine
Accredited by the American College of RadiologyA nuclear medicine exam is a safe and painless procedure which utilizes radioactive material to detect, diagnose and treat certain disease.
Nuclear medicine differs from other exams, such as X-ray, CT or MRI, because it images organ function, rather than just the anatomy. This means that it can show how an organ is working, not simply what it looks like. This allows us to study the activity of many organs including the thyroid, heart, stomach and kidneys.
Nuclear medicine is also well known for imaging the bones and joints to detect a number of abnormalities including trauma, fractures, arthritis or tumor. The Department of Nuclear Medicine is a full-service nuclear medicine department which performs both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Nuclear Medicine Exam Prep
Bone Scan
Patient will receive an injection and will be given a time to return for delayed images.
Hepatobiliary Scan with CCK/Pipida
Patient must be NPO (fasting) 5 hours prior to exam.
Thyroid Scan
Patient cannot be on any thyroid medications.
Renal Scan with Vasotec
Patient must be off all hypertension medications.
Gastric Emptying
Patient must be NPO (fasting) 8 hours prior to exam.
Gastric Reflux
Patient must be NPO (fasting) 4 hours prior to exam.
Meckels Scan
Patient must be NPO (fasting) 8 hours prior to exam.
Octreoscan
Patient should be hydrated and take a mild laxative (4 ounces of Milk of Magnesia) the evening before the exam and 4 hours after the first appointment.