Nuclear Medicine uses gamma cameras to create images of the function and metabolism of a patient’s internal body parts.
We also use low dose CAT scans to image a patient’s anatomy. This allows us to localise sites of abnormal function to a precise anatomical location.
During a standard Nuclear Medicine procedure a radiopharmaceutical is injected into the patient’s body. Gamma cameras image the radiation from the radiopharmaceutical, which enables the medical team to determine how an organ is functioning.
The radiopharmaceutical consists of two parts: a radioisotope containing a small amount of radiation, and a tracer that tells the isotope where to go in the body.
The radiopharmaceutical is taken up by the patient’s organs. Different organs take different amounts of time to be seen clearly. After the injection, patients are told a time they should return for the imaging procedure.
Once the imaging is completed the radiopharmaceutical is expelled by the body naturally.
Please inform us if you are or may be pregnant or breastfeeding BEFORE your scan.