Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine imaging is unique, because it provides doctors with information about both the structure and function of different organs of the body. It is noninvasive, usually painless and emits approximately the same amount of radiation of a regular X-Ray.

Nuclear Medicine helps physicians diagnose medical conditions such as:

• Analyze kidney function
• Visualize heart blood flow and function (such as a myocardial perfusion scan)
• Scan lungs for respiratory and blood flow problems
• Identify inflammation in the gallbladder
• Evaluate bones for fractures, infection, arthritis and tumors
• Determine the presence or spread of cancer in various parts of the body
• Identify bleeding into the bowel
• Locate the presence of infection
• Measure thyroid function to detect an overactive or underactive thyroid
• Investigate abnormalities in the brain, such as seizures, memory loss and abnormalities in blood flow
• Localize the lymph nodes before surgery in patients with cancer or melanoma

These imaging scans use radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers. The radiopharmeceutical can be injected into the vein or swallowed depending on the type of exam that you are having, a specific preparation is required for this exam.

Please CLICK HERE to see procedure preparations.

This unique diagnostic imaging exam is offered at selected UMIH locations.

Please call (310)474-2288 ext 106 for more information.