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Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

What to Expect | Frequently Ordered Tests  | Nuclear Stress Test | Pluvicto® Radioligand Therapy|  Results | Radioactive Iodine Therapy

Nuclear medicine is a radiology specialty that uses radioactive tracers to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions. The tracers are usually administered through an IV or by mouth. A special camera, called a gamma camera, is then used to create nuclear images. This helps doctors understand organ function, blood flow, and detect abnormalities in early stages. Nuclear medicine tests may be used in conjunction with other radiology procedures like X-rays and CT scans.

As their name suggests, the radioactive tracers given in nuclear medicine studies use radiation. The amount of radiation varies depending on the test, but is similar to X-rays. Children receive a lower amount of radiation that is based on their weight. In general, there are no side effects from the tracers.

Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

University Radiology has extensive experience using these tracers. All our physicians and technologists are trained and certified in nuclear medicine procedures by the American College of Radiology.

A Note Regarding Pregnancy Testing: While nuclear imaging tests only use small amounts of radioactive material, patients will be asked whether or not they may be pregnant. Most nuclear medicine scans are avoided or postponed if there is a possibility of pregnancy. Even if you are certain that you are not pregnant, University Radiology protocols may require a blood pregnancy test to guarantee patient and fetus safety.

What to Expect During a Nuclear Medicine Scan

All nuclear medicine procedures require a written prescription or referral specifying the exam needed and the patient’s signs and symptoms indicating the medical necessity of the procedure.

Patient preparation for nuclear scans is highly variable depending on the type of nuclear medicine images needed. Before your appointment, a nuclear medicine technologist or nurse will contact you and go over any special preparation that is required.

At your appointment, the nurse and/or technologist will go over the procedure and answer any questions you have. They’ll also ask you relevant questions regarding your medical history. This information helps the nuclear medicine physician interpret the study.

You can usually wear your own clothing during your exam, but you’ll need to remove all jewelry beforehand. If wearing a bra, make sure it does not contain underwire.

Depending on the test ordered, you’ll be given the radioactive agent through an IV or by mouth. Then, you’ll lie down on a special medical table under the gamma camera. You’ll need to stay as still as possible to ensure a clear picture(s).

The duration of the test varies depending on the specific organs and tissues being studied. Some tests take less than an hour to complete, while other tests may take several hours. The nurse or technologist will check in with you regularly to make sure you are comfortable throughout the procedure.

Frequently Ordered Nuclear Medicine Tests

  • Bone Scan: Used for early detection of fractures, tumors, infection, and arthritis.
  • Cardiac PET Scan: Evaluates the function of the heart as a pump by looking at coronary blood flow to the heart muscle. Cardiac Stress Test Preparation
  • Multigated Acquisition (MUGA) Scan: Similar to a cardiac scan, it is used to diagnose and monitor heart disease patients, as well as those undergoing chemotherapy.
  • Gallium Scan: Detects soft tissue and skeletal infections and tumors using a special chemical agent called gallium citrate.
  • Gastric Emptying Scan (Liquid and Solid): Evaluates how quickly and completely your stomach empties, and is used to diagnose gastroparesis.
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Scan: Evaluates gastroesophageal reflux by studying how the stomach and esophagus respond to food and/or drinks, and is often used in pediatrics.
  • Hepatobiliary Scan: Detects acute cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation). May also be used to evaluate patients for chronic gallbladder issues.
  • Lymphoscintigraphy: Looks at the movement of lymph fluid through the lymphatic system to help diagnose cancer and lymphedema. The test is also used to help doctors plan the surgical removal of malignant tumors.
  • Meckel’s Scan: Detects bleeding and blockages from a defect in the GI system called Meckel’s diverticulum.
  • Nuclear Cystogram: Looks at the function of the kidneys and bladder. It can be used to check for backwards flow of urine, called vesicoureteral reflux (UVR), as well as blockages and issues that may be causing recurrent UTIs.
  • Parathyroid Scan: Detects the presence of parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia in patients with abnormally high serum calcium levels. It helps identify which glands are overactive to help doctors prepare for surgical treatment.
  • Renal Scan (Renal Scintigraphy): Evaluates kidney function by studying blood flow to and from the organ, urine formation and urinary obstruction. Often used to help diagnose kidney blockages, cysts, tumors, and renal hypertension.
  • Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Scan: Provides a detailed picture of blood flow to and from organs and bones, in addition to their anatomical structure. Often used to diagnose neurological issues such as stroke and seizure, or identify cancerous lesions in the bones.
  • Thyroid Uptake and Scan: Evaluates thyroid nodules and how well the thyroid is functioning. Patients may be given radiotracers the day before the exam or undergo multiple scans at specific intervals after tracer administration.
  • Whole-Body Iodine Uptake Scan: Detects any remaining or recurring thyroid cancer in the body after surgical treatment for thyroid cancer.

Cardiac Nuclear SPECT (Nuclear Stress Test)

A cardiac nuclear SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography) scan, also called a nuclear stress test or myocardial perfusion imaging, is a non-invasive test that uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to evaluate blood flow to the heart muscle.

What does a cardiac nuclear SPECT scan show?

A cardiac SPECT scan can help your doctor:

  • Evaluate blood flow to the heart muscle at rest and when the heart is working harder during exercise or medication-induced stress.
  • Identify areas of reduced blood flow that may be associated with narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.
  • Detect areas of heart muscle damage or scar tissue, including damage from a previous heart attack.

What to Expect During a Nuclear Stress Test

A nuclear stress test generally includes two parts:

  • Rest phase: A small amount of radioactive tracer is administered through an IV. A gamma camera takes images showing blood flow to the heart muscle while your heart is at rest.
  • Stress phase: Your heart rate is increased either through exercise, typically by walking on a treadmill, or with medication if you are unable to exercise. Additional images are taken so your doctor can compare blood flow during stress with blood flow at rest.

Getting the Results from Your Nuclear Scan

Usually, no special precautions need to be taken after nuclear imaging procedures and normal activity can be resumed immediately. After your appointment, a nuclear medicine physician interprets the results and sends a report to the referring physician. Your doctor will then follow up with you to discuss your results and next steps,

Radioactive Iodine Therapy

At select affiliated hospitals, our physicians provide radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. During the procedure, radioactive Iodine-131 is given orally or through an IV. The treatment is absorbed by the GI tract and travels to your thyroid gland. It targets thyroid cells to shrink the gland and any thyroid lesions.

Radioactive Iodine therapy is usually completed in a single treatment. However, some patients may require a second dose to destroy any remaining cancer cells. After treatment, the body naturally gets rid of the radioiodine, mainly through urination. Your doctor will discuss post-procedure precautions to prevent exposing others to radiation.

For more information about Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging at University Radiology Group, or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, please contact us.

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