Nuclear medicine
procedures use small amounts of radioactive materials, called
radiopharmaceuticals, to create images of anatomy. Radiopharmaceuticals are
substances that are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues. They are
introduced into the patient’s body by injection, swallowing or inhalation.
As the radiopharmaceutical travels through the body, it produces radioactive
emissions. A special type of camera detects these emissions in the organ,
bone or tissue being imaged and then records the information on a computer
screen or on film.
After the
examination, nuclear medicine scans will be reviewed by a radiologist, a
physician who specializes in the interpretation of diagnostic medical
images. A report of the radiologist’s findings will be provided to the
attending physician and/or nursing facility.
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