What Patients Should Know About Nuclear Medicine Procedures

Your doctor has referred you or a family member for a test in the nuclear medicine department because the information obtained from the test will be important in determining the diagnosis and treatment of the medical problem you may have. You probably have a number of questions such as:

• What is a nuclear medicine test?
• What preparation is needed for the test?
• What will happen during the test?

This section provides information on some of the more commonly performed diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures. First, an overview of nuclear medicine is discussed; answers to frequently asked questions as well as key points to know are provided. Lastly, procedures for specific tests are outlined.

However, the material presented here is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for discussion between you and your physician. If you require more information about a nuclear medicine procedure, please consult your physician or the nuclear medicine department of the institution where the test will be performed.

What Is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear medicine involves the use of small amounts of radioactive materials (or tracers) to help diagnose and treat a variety of diseases. Nuclear medicine determines the cause of the medical problem based on the function of the organ, tissue or bone. This is how nuclear medicine differs from an x-ray, ultrasound or other diagnostic test that determines the presence of disease based on structural appearance.

Millions of nuclear medicine tests are performed each year in the United States alone. Nuclear medicine tests (also known as scans, examinations, or procedures) are safe and painless. In a nuclear medicine test, the radioactive material is introduced into the body by injection, swallowing, or inhalation. Different tracers are used to study different parts of the body. The amount of tracer used is carefully selected to provide the least amount of radiation exposure to the patient but ensure an accurate test. A special camera (scintillation or gamma camera) is used to take pictures of your body. The camera does this by detecting the tracer in the organ, bone or tissue being imaged and then records this information on a computer screen or on film. Generally, nuclear medicine tests are not recommended for pregnant women because unborn babies have a greater sensitivity to radiation than children or adults. If you are pregnant or think that you are pregnant, your doctor may order a different type of diagnostic test.