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Nuclear Medicine is a medical specialty that uses safe,
painless and cost effective techniques using small amount of
radioactive substances both to image the body and treat
diseases. The amount of radiation from a nuclear procedure
is comparable to that received during a diagnostic x-ray.
Unlike
conventional radiological imaging, nuclear medicine
investigations primarily show the physiologic function or
the functional anatomy of the system being investigated.
Ultrasonography,
computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
continue to define disease on the basis of abnormal
structure. Single photon emission tomography (SPECT) permits
3D reconstruction of data, increasing the sensitivity and
anatomical localization of lesions in the heart, skeleton
and brain.
Diagnostic imaging of the heart, lungs, brain, thyroid,
stomach, salivary glands, liver, kidneys, bone, adrenal
glands as well as sites of occult infection, is achieved
using state of art Latest Gamma Camera (SPECT-CT) with
tomographic facilities linked to computer systems.
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We use radionuclide imaging procedures to
visualize the structure and function of an
organ, tissue, bone or system of the body.
Nuclear medicine imaging scans are performed to:
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visualize
heart blood flow and function (such as a
myocardial perfusion scan)
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assess kidney
function
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scan lungs for
blood flow problems
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identify
inflammation in the gallbladder
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assess bones
for fractures, infection, arthritis and
tumors
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determine the
presence or spread of cancer in various
parts of the body
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identify
bleeding into the
bowel
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locate the
presence of infection
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assess thyroid
function to detect an overactive or
underactive thyroid
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investigate
abnormalities in the brain, such as
seizures, memory loss and abnormalities in
blood flow
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localize the
lymph nodes before surgery in patients with
breast cancer or melanoma
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Nuclear medicine therapies include: |
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Most
nuclear medicine procedures are performed using a gamma
camera, a specialized camera encased in metal that is
capable of detecting radiation and taking pictures from
different angles, similar in appearance to a computed
tomography (CT) scanner.
A computer aids in creating the images from the data
obtained by the camera or scanner.
There is no specialized equipment used during radioactive
iodine therapy.
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