Nuclear Medicine

What is it?

Nuclear medicine provides information about function and structure of various organs within the body. The procedures are safe and relatively painless. The amount of radiation is equal to regular x-rays. Nuclear Medicine uses a radioactive substance - given by mouth or injected - depending upon the procedure.

Be sure to tell your doctor and the technologist if you might be pregnant or are lactating.

What to expect?

After registering at the Outpatient Registration, you will report to the Radiology Department. You will be asked to complete a Patient History form. This form is completed any time you will be given contrast - by mouth or injected. Be sure to bring a list of your current medications.

After you have completed the form, the technologist will take you to the nuclear medicine suite. The radioactive substance, also called an isotope or "dye" will be given either by mouth or injection depending upon the procedure you are to have.

At the appropriate time, the technologist will have you lie on a narrow table. You will not need to change clothes, but you will want to dress comfortably. Once you're in position, the technologist will position you under a large round or pointed device that take the images. The time it takes to acquire images varies depending upon the study. You should plan to be with us for a minimum of 2 hours.

Questions Commonly Asked:

1.Will the radioactive substance hurt me?
Answer: Radioactive substances are derived from naturally occurring elements and generally do not create an allergic reaction.

2.Will the "shot" make me sleepy?
Answer: No, the injection will have no affect on your body. You will be able to resume normal activities once the test is completed.

3.Can I eat before my test?
Answer: For most procedures you can eat. There are a few exceptions - studies of the GI tract or GI bleed studies will require you to withhold food the morning of your test.