Nuclear Medicine
Service description
What is nuclear medicine?
Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that uses small amounts of radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) to diagnose, evaluate and treat different diseases. Through imaging techniques such as scintigraphy, positron emission tomography (PET) and photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), nuclear medicine makes it possible to observe the functioning of organs and tissues in real time, providing unique and detailed information that other diagnostic methods cannot offer.
What are some of the common uses of this procedure?
Nuclear medicine is used in a wide variety of medical fields. Some of its most common uses include:
Diagnosis of heart disease, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure.
Evaluation of bone system function, detecting fractures, infections, tumors or diseases such as osteoporosis.
Cancer detection and monitoring, allowing visualization of the spread of cancer cells in the body.
Thyroid examinations, to evaluate thyroid function and diagnose diseases such as hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer.
Digestive and renal system studies to diagnose problems with liver, kidney or gallbladder function.
How should I prepare?
Preparation for a nuclear medicine test varies depending on the type of study to be performed. Generally, the following is recommended:
In some cases, fasting beforehand (no eating or drinking) if the test is focused on organs such as the stomach or gallbladder.
Adequate hydration, as you are usually asked to drink fluids before or after the test, depending on the test.
Inform the professionals if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as the use of radiopharmaceuticals may be contraindicated.
It is also important to communicate if you are taking any medication, as some may interfere with the results.
What is the procedure like?
The procedure begins with the administration of a radiopharmaceutical, which may be injected, swallowed or inhaled, depending on the type of study. This material accumulates in the area of the body to be examined. After a period of time that varies according to the type of study, images are taken using a gamma camera or a specialized scanner. The patient must remain still while the images are captured to ensure clarity of the results. In some cases, imaging may be required at different times, hours or days after the administration of the radiopharmaceutical.
How long does the test last?
The length of a nuclear medicine test can vary depending on the type of exam. The administration of the radiopharmaceutical is quick, but may require a waiting period before imaging, which can be anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on how the radioactive material is absorbed by the body. The actual imaging usually takes between 20 and 45 minutes. At the end of the procedure, most patients are able to resume their daily activities without inconvenience.
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Service description - Nuclear Medicine
What is nuclear medicine?
Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that uses small amounts of radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) to diagnose, evaluate and treat different diseases. Through imaging techniques such as scintigraphy, positron emission tomography (PET) and photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), nuclear medicine makes it possible to observe the functioning of organs and tissues in real time, providing unique and detailed information that other diagnostic methods cannot offer.
What are some of the common uses of this procedure?
Nuclear medicine is used in a wide variety of medical fields. Some of its most common uses include:
Diagnosis of heart disease, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure.
Evaluation of bone system function, detecting fractures, infections, tumors or diseases such as osteoporosis.
Cancer detection and monitoring, allowing visualization of the spread of cancer cells in the body.
Thyroid examinations, to evaluate thyroid function and diagnose diseases such as hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer.
Digestive and renal system studies to diagnose problems with liver, kidney or gallbladder function.
How should I prepare?
Preparation for a nuclear medicine test varies depending on the type of study to be performed. Generally, the following is recommended:
In some cases, fasting beforehand (no eating or drinking) if the test is focused on organs such as the stomach or gallbladder.
Adequate hydration, as you are usually asked to drink fluids before or after the test, depending on the test.
Inform the professionals if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as the use of radiopharmaceuticals may be contraindicated.
It is also important to communicate if you are taking any medication, as some may interfere with the results.
What is the procedure like?
The procedure begins with the administration of a radiopharmaceutical, which may be injected, swallowed or inhaled, depending on the type of study. This material accumulates in the area of the body to be examined. After a period of time that varies according to the type of study, images are taken using a gamma camera or a specialized scanner. The patient must remain still while the images are captured to ensure clarity of the results. In some cases, imaging may be required at different times, hours or days after the administration of the radiopharmaceutical.
How long does the test last?
The length of a nuclear medicine test can vary depending on the type of exam. The administration of the radiopharmaceutical is quick, but may require a waiting period before imaging, which can be anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on how the radioactive material is absorbed by the body. The actual imaging usually takes between 20 and 45 minutes. At the end of the procedure, most patients are able to resume their daily activities without inconvenience.