About Nuclear Medicine Diagnostics

A nuclear imaging test involves injecting a small amount of a radioactive tracer (also called a radiopharmaceutical) into your body. The tracer is absorbed by specific cells in your body and is then detected with a nuclear medicine scanner. This produces detailed images of your organs and tissues that show how well they are functioning. Nuclear medicine tests are more organ-, tissue- and disease-specific than conventional radiology scans, which typically focus on structure only.

Nuclear Medicine Diagnostics scanning uses a special camera that takes pictures of your body as you lie on a padded examination table. The procedure usually takes less than one hour, but some studies require more than one visit. The results are displayed on a computer screen. The images are interpreted by a nuclear medicine physician who looks for any abnormalities and makes a diagnosis.

Your doctor will ask about your medical history, including any medications you are taking, especially vitamins and herbal supplements. You should also tell your doctor or exam technologist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and if you have any allergies. The exam room is darkened and you will be asked to remove all jewelry and clothing, which may interfere with the exam. You will be given a gown to wear during the test. A venous line will be started in your hand or arm, and you will lie flat on a scanner table.

In some centers, nuclear medicine images are superimposed on other imaging modalities, such as CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This is called image fusion and allows your doctor to see more information at the same time.