FAQ Nuclear Medicine
- Are nuclear medicine examinations safe?
- Where will you inject the material? How long will it be in my system?
- Is this a common exam?
- Who performs nuclear medicine tests?
- Why do nuclear medicine exams take so long?
1. Are nuclear medicine examinations safe?
Nuclear medicine examinations are among the safest diagnostic tests available. The amount of radiation received
by a patient during a nuclear medicine examination is no more than that received during a diagnostic x-ray.
2. Where will you inject the material? How long will it be in my system?
IV injection of a small amount of radiopharmaceutical compound generally is required. IV injections are usually
given in the arm or hand. These compounds have a very short half life and are expelled in urine in a matter
of hours or days.
3. Is this a common exam?
Nuclear medicine examinations are very common today. Estimates are that over 10 million nuclear medicine examinations
are performed every year in the United States.
4. Who performs nuclear medicine tests?
Nuclear medicine tests are performed by registered nuclear medicine technologists, who administer radiopharmaceutical
compounds, operate the equipment and support you throughout the examination. Nuclear medicine test results are
analyzed (interpreted) by a radiologist specializing in nuclear medicine.
5. Why do nuclear medicine exams take so long?
The amount of time needed to complete a nuclear medicine procedure depends on the type of test. Nuclear medicine
exams are performed in three steps, administering the pharmaceutical compound, taking the pictures and analyzing
the results. The amount of time needed for the compound to accumulate in the body part to be scanned can vary
from a few hours to days.
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