Nuclear medicine images body functions based on energy emitted by a radioactive substance ingested prior to examination. Involving only a small dose of radiation (about equivalent to the amount in a regular X-ray) that carries near zero risk of allergic reaction, nuclear medicine is a non-invasive alternative to exploratory surgery. Nuclear medicine procedures are time-consuming and the amount of time needed for each test depends on what information your doctor needs to obtain. Absorption of the radioactive material can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, and the scan itself can last as long as three hours.
When the exam is performed, the radioactive material (called a tracer) required for imaging is administered orally or by intravenous injection. Once inside the body, the tracer spreads, collects in certain areas and reacts with body tissue to produce gamma radiation. After sufficient time has elapsed for full absorption of the tracer, the patient lies down on the scanning table and is placed beneath or within the scanning device. While the images are being obtained, you must remain as still as possible. This is especially true when a series of images is obtained to show how an organ functions over time. Cameras detect the emitted gamma radiation, and a computer processes and displays the images.
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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 a meal before the test. If the procedure involves evaluation of the kidneys, you may need to drink plenty of water before the test. Neither the injected tracer nor the scans themselves cause any pain. Although you can expect a slight discomfort associated with the actual injection, and may feel fatigued from having to lie still during the scan .
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Nuclear cardiology focuses on imaging the heart to locate or diagnose problems with the heart. Scans may be performed in conjunction with other types of imaging (CT, MRI, and X-ray) or with stress tests.
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