Nuclear Medicine (Bone Scans, Body Scans, Stress Test & HIDA)

Nuclear medicine is a specialized imaging technique that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose and sometimes treat various diseases. By combining nuclear technology with advanced imaging, nuclear medicine provides detailed insights into the function and structure of organs, bones, and tissues. Common procedures include bone scans, body scans, cardiac stress tests, and HIDA scans. At Revere Health, our radiology team utilizes nuclear medicine to detect, monitor, and manage a range of conditions, ensuring accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans for our patients.

How Nuclear Medicine Works
Nuclear medicine involves the administration of a small amount of a radioactive tracer, either through injection, inhalation, or oral ingestion. The tracer travels to the specific organ or tissue being studied and emits gamma rays, which are captured by a special camera. These images provide valuable information about how the organ or tissue is functioning, making it useful for diagnosing conditions that may not be visible on standard imaging tests.

Common Nuclear Medicine Procedures
Bone Scans: Used to evaluate bone health, detect fractures, infections, or monitor bone disorders such as osteoporosis or cancer metastasis.
Body Scans: Helps identify abnormalities in organs such as the thyroid, liver, kidneys, and lungs.
Cardiac Stress Test (Nuclear Stress Test): Assesses blood flow to the heart muscle during rest and exercise, helping diagnose coronary artery disease or evaluate treatment effectiveness.
Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) Scan: Examines the function of the gallbladder and bile ducts to diagnose conditions like gallbladder disease or bile duct obstruction.

When Is Nuclear Medicine Recommended?
Nuclear medicine is used to evaluate a variety of conditions, including:

Bone Disorders: Fractures, bone infections, arthritis, and metastatic cancer.
Heart Conditions: Coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and other heart function issues.
Gallbladder and Liver Diseases: Gallbladder inflammation, bile duct blockages, and liver function abnormalities.
Thyroid Disorders: Overactive or underactive thyroid function.
Cancer Diagnosis and Monitoring: To detect tumors or monitor response to treatment.

What to Expect During the Procedure
Preparation: Depending on the type of scan, fasting or specific instructions may be provided beforehand.
Tracer Administration: A small amount of radioactive tracer is introduced into your body.
Imaging: You will lie down on a table while a specialized gamma camera captures images. The procedure may take 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the scan type.
Post-Procedure: The tracer naturally leaves your body through urine or stool, and normal activities can usually be resumed immediately.

Benefits of Nuclear Medicine
Functional Imaging: Shows how organs and tissues are functioning, not just their structure.
Early Detection: Can detect diseases in their early stages, before symptoms appear.
Comprehensive Evaluation: Offers detailed information that may not be visible on other imaging tests.

Why Choose Revere Health?
Our radiology team uses advanced nuclear medicine technology to provide safe, effective, and precise imaging for a variety of conditions. We prioritize patient safety and comfort, ensuring accurate results and comprehensive care.

For more information or to schedule a nuclear medicine appointment, contact Revere Health today.