Nuclear Medicine

A nuclear medicine test uses small amounts of a radioactive material injected intravenously into the body. The material is absorbed by the organs and cells of the tissue being imaged and helps identify cancers or other diseases in their early stages.

These may include heart disease, gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, endocrine disorders, and neurological disorders.

Nuclear medicine exams may have a short or long waiting period after being injected with the radioactive material. Wait times can vary from minutes to a few hours.

You may also be given specific instructions prior to the exam, which are important to follow. If they are not followed, it may potentially delay your exam.