Nuclear Medicine Imaging

Nuclear medicine imaging is a test that uses small amounts of radioactive substances (called tracers) to diagnose or monitor diseases or illnesses. After you receive the tracer, a special camera senses the radiation it gives off as it moves through your body. Then, a computer produces detailed images of your organs and tissues.

Healthcare providers use these pictures to diagnose or treat many health conditions. Some of the conditions it can help diagnose are:

• Blood disorders
• Thyroid disease
• Heart disease
• Gallbladder disease
• Gastrointestinal diseases
• Lung problems
• Bone problems
• Kidney disease
• Cancer

Nuclear medicine can treat certain conditions. It can also check how well a treatment is working. For example, it can help deliver radiation directly to a cancerous tumor.

How does nuclear imaging work?

Nuclear medicine imaging can see how well your internal organs and tissues are working.

It generally goes like this:

1. A provider gives you a radioactive tracer. This will most commonly be an injection. You may also swallow or breathe it in. It depends on the test.
2. The tracer moves through your body. You may need to wait while the tracer travels to the area your provider wants to look at. This could take anywhere from several minutes to a few hours.
3. A special camera called a gamma camera or PET scan detects the radiation the tracer gives off. This is sent to a computer, which produces detailed images.
4. A nuclear medicine physician reads the images. They write a report about what they find.

How do I prepare?

How you prepare depends on the kind of nuclear imaging test you’re having. Your healthcare provider will tell you what you need to do. Preparations could involve:

• Avoiding eating and drinking for several hours beforehand
• Not taking or adjusting certain medications
• Details like when to arrive, whether you need transportation and how long it may take

Always be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any allergies you have or medications you take. This can help them decide if the test is safe for you.

What can I expect during the test?

Here’s what you can expect after the tracer has time to circulate:

1. You’ll lie on an exam table under a gamma camera.
2. The camera will take a series of pictures. You’ll need to stay still so the images are clear.
3. The camera detects the radiation from the tracer. A computer helps create images of the organ or tissue.
4. A nuclear medicine doctor will review these images to look for signs of problems.

How long does the nuclear medicine imaging test take?

It depends on the type of test you’re having. In general, the scans might last about 30 to 60 minutes. This doesn’t include the time that it takes the tracer to travel. For scans involving bones, absorbing the tracer can take several hours.

What are the risks and benefits of nuclear imaging?

It’s normal to feel concerned when you hear the word “radioactive.” But nuclear imaging is safe. It generally doesn’t cause side effects. The amount of radiation you receive is low. But it’s higher than tests like X-rays.

Some of the risks of nuclear medicine imaging are:

• Allergic reactions
• The tracer injection may be painful or red afterward
• It may not be safe if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding

The benefits usually outweigh any risks of the test. Nuclear imaging can:

• Show how organs and tissues work, not just what they look like
• Help diagnose diseases in their early stages
• Pinpoint the exact location of the problem
• Help your provider avoid more invasive tests or surgeries

What should I expect after a nuclear imaging test?

You can go back to your usual activities after the test. You typically don’t need to stay at the hospital. You can go home right after. You can eat and drink normally right away, too. Drinking water can help flush the tracer from your body more quickly. The tracer should be completely gone from your system within 48 hours.

When should I know the results?

It depends. A nuclear medicine doctor reviews the images from your scan. They create a report and send it to your healthcare provider (the one who ordered the test). Your healthcare provider usually discusses the results with you at a follow-up appointment. But they may give results over the phone. You can also read your results in your electronic medical record. This process can take a few days.

Be sure to ask your healthcare provider any questions you have about your results and what they mean for you.

What do my results mean?

Your healthcare provider will explain what they found on the test and what it means. If the test shows something irregular, they’ll discuss next steps. Sometimes, you need more tests to further investigate the problem. This could include:

• MRI or CT scan
• Blood tests
• Biopsy

When should I call my doctor?

If you have a nuclear imaging test, contact your provider if you experience any of the following after:

• Swelling, itchiness or pain at the injection site
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting