Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine is a field of radiology that uses small amounts of radioactive substances to help diagnose and treat a variety of diseases.

In a nuclear medicine test, you drink or are injected with a slightly radioactive substance. This substance is designed to move and accumulate in the organ being tested. Once it reaches that organ, it gives off energy that a special scanner can detect. Nuclear medicine tests allow your doctor to see how well your kidneys, lungs or heart function. It can also determine how well your thyroid works and uncover infections or areas of bleeding within your body. Nuclear medicine is also good at discovering the presence or spread of cancer.

Fast and Safe Testing

These tests are safe and painless and usually take 20 to 45 minutes.

There is no need to worry about having radioactive material inside your body. The amount of radiation received is usually about the same as your receive from an x-ray. Eventually, the material will pass through you, either in the bathroom or through breakdown over time.

It is important to note that the information received from nuclear medicine is unlike all other imaging options and the radioactive material is far less dangerous than exploratory surgery, the only other option for such detailed information.

Experienced Technicians

All of the nuclear medicine technologists are board certified by the NMTCB (Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board) and are required to remain constantly competent through required continuing education. All facilities are JCAHO accredited and both Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - Elmbrook Memorial are accredited by ICANL (The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories).

For more information or if you have questions about an upcoming ultrasound, please visit our locations page for the location nearest you.