Nuclear medicine uses trace amounts of radioactive material to diagnose a variety of diseases and other abnormalities within the body. Depending on the type of imaging study to be performed Nuclear Medicine uses radiopharmaceuticals that are either injected into a vein or are swallowed in a capsule form. The material will then accumulate in the organ being examined. This process may take some time resulting in your exam being done immediately or a few hours later after having received the material.

Nuclear Medicine procedures are used to:

• analyze kidney, renal, thyroid and liver functions
• identify inflammation in the gallbladder
• evaluate bones for fractures or arthritis
• determine the spread of cancer in various parts of the body
• identify respiratory problems in the lungs
• measure function and blood flow of the heart

Following a Nuclear Medicine exam the patient can resume normal activity. If there are any special instructions you will be told by the technologist. Fluids are encouraged to help the radioactive material move through the body. One of our radiologists will interpret the exam and send the results to the patient's physician.

Please contact our office at (810) 244-5450 if you have additional questions related to your exam.