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Nuclear medicine scans provide a quick and convenient way to monitor organ function and detect early signs of disease. It’s significantly less risky than exploratory surgery and requires no downtime or recovery period. At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, board-certified cardiologist John Terzian, MD, FACC, and the team use nuclear medicine scans to diagnose heart disease and other chronic health problems. Call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, today to schedule a nuclear medicine scan consultation, or book your visit online.
Nuclear Medicine Scans Q & A
What are nuclear medicine scans?
Nuclear medicine scans are a type of diagnostic imaging. They use a device called a gamma camera and low doses of a radioactive substance called a radiotracer to capture photos of your internal organs and evaluate how well they function.
Nuclear medicine scans can provide insights about all your internal organs, but Dr. Terzian typically prescribes them to evaluate heart problems. These scans can provide key insights into your heart’s health and determine the best treatment to keep them from worsening.
Are nuclear medicine scans safe?
Yes. Nuclear medicine scans are safe and typically well-tolerated. In fact, they’ve been used in diagnostic medicine for over 60 years.
Although treatment exposes you to a low-dose radioactive substance, the benefits outweigh the risks. For example, nuclear medicine scans provide key information about how your internal organs function. They can also diagnose underlying health problems, like narrowed or blocked arteries and blood vessels. Early detection reduces the risk of complications, resulting in a better prognosis.
Furthermore, nuclear medicine scans prevent the need for exploratory surgery. They don’t require anesthesia or incisions, so you can return to work and other activities immediately after the procedure.
What types of health problems can nuclear medicine scans detect?
At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, Dr. Terzian uses nuclear medicine scans to detect various health problems, including:
- Lung disease
- Gallbladder disease
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Thyroid disease
- Blood disorders (for example, anemia and clotting disorders)
Sometimes, Dr. Terzian prescribes a nuclear medicine scan to monitor how a treatment is working. For example, if you’re undergoing radioimmunotherapy for cancer, a nuclear medicine scan can ensure the medication is delivered precisely to the right area.
What happens during a nuclear medicine scan?
A nuclear medicine scan is an outpatient procedure that usually takes an hour or more.
You change into a gown and lie on a comfortable, padded exam table. The table is underneath an imaging device called a gamma camera.
Once you’re in position, a radioactive substance called a radiotracer gets injected into a vein in your arm. Radiotracers can also be consumed orally, such as a pill or capsule.
After the radiotracer enters your body, you must lie very still. The gamma camera takes a series of highly detailed photos. Crystals inside the gamma camera detect the radiotracer inside your body and interpret it into digital images of the examined organ. For example, your heart.
Dr. Terzian views the images on a computer monitor to detect abnormalities or signs of disease. If he notices anything unusual, Dr. Terzian develops a personalized treatment plan to prevent the problem from worsening.
Call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, today to schedule a nuclear medicine scan, or book your appointment online.