What is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear Medicine is a cutting-edge branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to allow doctors see inside the body and understand its inner workings by revealing the function and activity of organs or tissues in real time. Rather than a snapshot of the the structure of an organ, nuclear medicine scans can show how well an organ is functioning, often uncovering abnormalities before structural changes become evident.

What happens during a nuclear medicine test?

Our highly-skilled nuclear physicians utilize state-of-the-art imaging systems including PET.CT or SPECT.CT, and collaborate with doctors from multiple specialties across our Health System to detect and diagnose hidden intricacies of conditions like heart disease, cancer, and neurological conditions. If you are undergoing one of these types of scans, you will be given a small amount of a safe, specially prepared radioactive tracer, either by injection, swallowing, or inhalation. This then travels to the specific target area of your body, and an advanced camera captures the radiation given off by the tracer, creating detailed images that doctors then analyze to make accurate and timely medical decisions for the most personalized and effective care possible.