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1.
What is Nuclear Medicine?
2. What are some common uses of the procedure?
3. How should I prepare for the procedure?
4. How is the procedure performed?
5. Are there any risks associated with a nuclear
medicine examination?
1. What is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine comprises diagnostic
examinations that result in images of body anatomy and function.
The images are developed based on the detection of energy emitted
from a radioactive substance given to the patient either by
mouth or by vein. Radiation to the patient is, generally, similar
to that resulting from standard x-ray examinations. By imaging
the way the substance is handled by the body, we get a detailed
evaluation of the physiology and function of particular organs.
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2. What are some common uses of the procedure?
Nuclear medicine images can assist the
physician in localizing tumors or infection as well as other
disorders related to specific organ function. Specifically,
nuclear medicine can be used to:
• Analyze kidney function
•
Image blood flow and function of the heart
•
Scan lungs for respiratory and blood-flow problems
•
Identify blockage of the gallbladder (cystic duct)
•
Evaluate bones for fracture, infection, arthritis or tumor
•
Determine the presence or spread of cancer
•
Locate the presence of infection
•
Measure thyroid uptake to detect hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
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3. How should I prepare for the procedure?
Usually, no special preparation is needed
for a nuclear medicine examination. However, if the procedure
involves evaluation of the stomach, you may have to skip the
meal immediately before the test. If the procedure involves
evaluation of the kidneys, you may need to drink plenty of water
before the test.
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4. How is the procedure performed?
A radiopharmaceutical is administered
into a vein or mouth. Depending on which type of scan is being
performed, the imaging will be done either immediately or a
few hours or even two days after the injection. Imaging time
varies, generally ranging from 20 to 45 minutes.
The radiopharmaceutical that is used is determined by what part
of the body is under study since some compounds collect in specific
organs better than others. Depending on the type of scan, it
may take several seconds to several days for the substance to
travel through the body and accumulate in the organ of interest.
You must remain as still as possible during imaging. Sometimes
sequential images are obtained to show how an organ functions
over time.
In general, the radiopharmaceutical loses its radioactivity
generally over 24 hours and leaves the body quickly as it is
excreted in the urine or stool.
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5. Are there any risks associated with a
nuclear medicine examination?
Nuclear Medicine procedures will result
in exposure to a small dose of radiation. However, the doses
of radiopharmaceutical administered are the smallest possible.
Nuclear medicine has been used for more than three decades,
and there are no known long-term adverse effects from such low-dose
studies.
As with all radiologic procedures, be sure to inform your physician
if you are pregnant. In general, exposure to radiation during
pregnancy should be kept to a minimum.
Allergic reactions to the radiopharmaceutical may occur, but
are extremely rare.
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