What is Nuclear Medicine?

So what is Nuclear Medicine? You have heard of this so called Nuclear Medicine and are curious and eager to find out more about this field of medical imaging!

Nuclear Medicine is a form of medical imaging technology which utilizes radiation known as gamma rays.

This radiation is introduced into the body through the use of radioactive pharmaceuticals, known as radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers. Radiopharamceuticals are usually injected, ingested or inhaled by the patient and are then taken up by the organ of interest within the body that is to be imaged.

Gamma rays being emitted by these radiopharmaceuticals are picked up by an instrument known as a gamma camera. This gamma camera is connected to a computer and an image of the desire organ is produced.

The beauty of nuclear medicine is its ability to visualize not just the size and shape of organs and structures within the body but also the function and morphology of physiological functions in the body.  This allows for the early diagnosis and identification of the onset of disease.  With this early detection of disease physicians and medical practitioners can begin to plan an early disease treatment regime for patient thus increasing the chance of full patient recovery.

The most common use of nuclear medicine is for the diagnosis of many forms of cancer.  Nuclear medicine is also used in the therapy of some cancers, best known for its use in thyroid cancer therapy.

Nuclear Medicine imaging test and procedures are generally performed by Nuclear Medicine Technologists in a hospital or medical clinic.

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