Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine scanners produce images by detecting a radioactive tracer in the patient. The process uses radioactive pharmaceuticals which are injected into the vein, circulate through the body, and concentrate in a specific area. There are different isotopes designed to concentrate in different areas like lungs, heart, kidneys, skeleton and brain.

How do patients prepare for the exam? 
Some nuclear medicine procedures require no preparation, but others may require medication, food modifications, or special medication instructions. Patients will receive instructions for their type of exam.

A nuclear medicine exam can last from 30 minutes to a span of several days.

When are results available? 
Physicians provide exam results. A radiologist interprets the nuclear medicine scans the day they are performed. Some cases may require comparison to other exams, resulting in a slight delay. Hamilton provides results directly to physicians as soon as the radiologist verifies the report accuracy.