Nuclear Medicine

Functional imaging using small amounts of radioactive tracers.

Schedule your nuclear medicine exam today.

About the Exam

What is nuclear medicine?

Nuclear medicine uses very small amounts of radioactive material (radiotracers) to evaluate how organs and tissues are functioning. Unlike CT or MRI which show anatomy, nuclear medicine shows physiology — what's working and what isn't.

Key advantages

  • Shows organ function, not just anatomy
  • Detects disease activity earlier than structural imaging in many cases
  • Wide variety of studies tailored to specific organs
Common Indications

Why your doctor may order a nuclear medicine study

  • Bone scans — fractures, metastases, infection
  • Cardiac stress tests (myocardial perfusion imaging)
  • Thyroid evaluation and treatment
  • Gastric emptying studies
  • Hepatobiliary (HIDA) scans
  • Renal function studies
Patient Experience

What to expect

  1. 1

    A radiotracer is administered — usually by IV, sometimes oral or inhaled.

  2. 2

    Waiting time varies from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the study.

  3. 3

    You'll lie on a table and a gamma camera will image you.

  4. 4

    Imaging takes 30–60 minutes.

  5. 5

    Some studies have multiple imaging time points across the day.

How to prepare

Preparation depends on the specific study. Detailed instructions will be provided when you schedule your appointment.

Important Information

The radiation dose from nuclear medicine is comparable to a typical CT scan and is considered safe for adults. Notify us if you are or could be pregnant or breastfeeding.

Ready to schedule?

Our scheduling team is ready to help you book your nuclear medicine exam.