Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine is one of the most up to date and state-of-the-art specialties we have in our radiology department at Union General Hospital. Nuclear Medicine is revolutionizing the way we are able to diagnose and treat illnesses. With Nuclear Medicine it’s painless, safe and extremely effective.
Nuclear Medicine “refers to a medicine (a pharmaceutical) that is attached to a small quantity of radioactive material (a radio scope). This combination is known as a radio-pharmaceutical. There are a variety of different radiopharmaceuticals available for different parts of the body.” The radiopharmaceuticals are easily received by the patient’s body through an injection, swallowing, or inhalation. These radiopharmaceuticals have been tested and approved by the FDA.
Once the patient has received the radio-pharmaceutical, the substance, or “radio tracer” is seen detected by using a special camera. The camera allows the doctor to see what’s going on inside the body. The gamma camera is placed a few inches above and below the patient’s body. Pictures are taken, and as a result, doctors can diagnose diseases quicker than they would by using any other device.
That’s the advantage with using Nuclear Medicine— early detection.
Below is a list of common reasons that we use Nuclear Medicine:
- Lesions in the body can be detected without surgery.
- Organ functionality is easily detected.
- Nuclear Medicine is able to determine how well the heart is pumping as well as determine if the brain, stomach, or kidneys are functioning properly.
- The tiniest of injuries to a bone can be detected through nuclear medicine. These types of fractures typically wouldn’t show up on an X-ray.
- It aids in identifying locations of seizures from diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
- This specialty can be used to see how well cancer is responding to treatment, as well as monitor bone recovery.
- If the patient received a new organ through a transplant, physicians are able to see how well the new organ is working.
- Nuclear Medicine procedures are able to assess damage to the heart after experiencing a heart attack.
Nuclear Medicine is a new, innovative specialty that is saving lives. We’re proud to be able to utilize this technology in order to offer our patients the best, newest, updated level of care.
Please contact us today to learn more about Nuclear Medicine, or to schedule an appointment.