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Nuclear imaging uses radioactive materials and complex technology
to provide unique and detailed information for the diagnosis
of medical problems. Because nuclear imaging can review
more detailed information than any other exams, it enables
physicians to diagnose and treat certain disease and disorders
at a very early stage of development.
Preparation differs, depending upon the area of the body
that is being examined. In most cases, food and liquids are
not restricted.
You may be instructed not to eat foods or take medications
that are high in iodine, such as seafood, table salt or cough
medicine for at least three to four days before thyroid studies.
If you are pregnant or nursing, please inform your
physician before the exam is scheduled.
Depending on the part of the body to be imaged, you will
receive either an intravenous injection or swallow a capsule
that contains small amount of radioactive compound.
You may then have a waiting period ranging from 20 minutes
to three hours, as this compound travels through the body
and emits gamma rays.
When you are ready for the procedure, you will be asked
to lie on an examining table with a camera placed above you
and close to your body. This special equipment detects the
gamma rays and records them, as a computer helps to interpret
and reconstruct
the image.
The only discomfort is that associated with the procedure,
which usually takes from one-half to one hour, is lying still
in the same position for this time. After the examination
is interpreted by the radiologist, a written report will
be sent to your physician.
The amount of radiation that a person receives from a nuclear
imaging exam is usually less than the amount of radiation
received from diagnostic X-rays. Also, the compound quickly
loses most of its radioactivity and leaves the body within
a few hours.
The procedure, the equipment and the facility in which the
exam takes place are required to meet strict safety standards
regulated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In addition,
Monmouth Medical Center has a full-time radiation safety
officer to ensure full compliance with all regulations. While
a generally safe procedure, it does involve radiation. As
such, the benefits of having it performed should outweigh
any associated radiation risks.
, please contact the Department
of Nuclear Medicine at 732- 923-6690 or the medical physicist
at 732-923-6811.
Click
here for the informational brochure (pdf),
available as a PDF (portable document format) file.
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