Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine involves the use of small amounts of radioactive materials (tracers) to help diagnose and treat a variety of diseases. The tracer may be administered intravenously or orally, and depending on which type of scan is being performed, the imaging will be done either immediately or a few hours or even days after receiving the tracer. Procedure times vary because for many tests, a certain amount of time is needed (from a few hours to a few days) for the tracer to accumulate in the part of the body being scanned before the imaging can be done. A special camera is used that detects the tracer in the body and then records this information on a computer screen or on film.
Nuclear medicine procedures are very safe. The amount of radiation you will receive during the test is no more than what you would receive from similar x-ray procedures. The tracer you are given will remain in your body for a short period of time and is cleared from the body through natural bodily functions. Drinking plenty of fluids will help the tracer clear through your body more quickly. Adverse reactions or side effects from the tracer are rare, but let the technologist know if you experience any symptoms after the tracer is administered.