Nuclear Medicine Imaging
As an integral part of patient care, nuclear medicine is used in the diagnosis, management, treatment and prevention of serious disease. Nuclear medicine imaging procedures are often able to identify abnormalities very early in the progression of a disease. Very small amounts of radioactive materials that are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues are used in nuclear medicine. These materials emit gamma rays that can be detected externally by special types of cameras working in conjunction with computers to form images.
Sentinel Node
A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a procedure in which the sentinel lymph node is identified, removed and examined to determine whether cancer cells are present. It is used in people who have already been diagnosed with cancer.
Bone Scan
A bone scan helps to diagnose and evaluate a variety of bone diseases and conditions using small amounts of radioactive materials called radiotracers that are injected into the bloodstream. The radiotracer travels through the area being examined and gives off radiation in the form of gamma rays, which are detected by a special gamma camera and a computer to create images of your bones. Because it is able to pinpoint molecular activity within the body, bone scans offer the potential to identify disease in its earliest stages.
Cardiac Stress Test
Using ultrasound technology, an echocardiogram captures sound waves that are recorded as computer images and interpreted by a board-certified cardiologist. The “stress” portion of the echocardiogram can be accomplished with exercise on a treadmill or by using a medication that speeds the heart rate and simulates exercise to stress the heart. The patient is constantly monitored by a continuous EKG. An echocardiogram is performed before stress and immediately afterwards to assess cardiac function and determine if there are any blockages present.
Thyroid Scan
Thyroid scan and uptake uses radiotracers, a special camera and a computer to provide information about your thyroid's size, shape, position and function that is often unattainable using other imaging procedures.
Renal Scan
The role of this procedure is to evaluate kidney function and perfusion, kidney failure, kidney obstruction and to follow up on kidney transplants. Renal scans may also be used to screen and diagnose renovascular hypertension disease.