Capturing an Accurate Diagnosis
Through diagnostic imaging, we can better understand the cause of your symptoms and tailor your treatments. At AdventHealth Zephyrhills, our experienced team offers comprehensive nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging services to give you answers you can trust.
Our radiology team is committed to answering your questions, calming your nerves and staying up-to-date with the latest advances in nuclear medicine so we can help heal your body, mind and spirit.
Nuclear Medicine Delivers the Answers You Need
- What Is Nuclear Medicine?
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Nuclear medicine is a specialized area of radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive materials (given either orally or intravenously) to examine your organ’s structure and metabolic function. These tests can:
- Evaluate the spread of cancer
- Identify blood clots in the lungs
- Locate infection
- Scan organs for abnormalities
Nuclear medicine assess how organs and tissues are functioning, where diagnostic imaging usually only assesses how organs and tissue look.
- What Types of Nuclear Medicine Scans Are Available?
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Our nuclear medicine technologists use advanced technology that deliver quick results so your doctor can begin treatments as soon as possible. We offer a wide-range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging tests, including:
- Brain Scans
- Breast Scans
- Heart Scans
- Red Cell Mass Studies
- Renal Scans
- Thyroid Uptake Scans
- Tumor Imaging
- Whole-Body Bone Scans
- What Should I Expect During Nuclear Medicine Scan?
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Your doctor will provide specific instructions for your nuclear medicine scan, but generally no preparation is necessary. You may not be able to eat or drink anything starting about six hours before your test.
On the day your test is scheduled, be sure to leave jewelry and valuables at home. During your test, you’ll lay under a gamma camera. The camera will take a serious of pictures after the radioactive material is injected intravenously or taken orally.
Nuclear medicine tests take about one hour, but some scans may require more time. During the test, a series of pictures will be taken for your nuclear medicine physician to interpret. Your radiologist will assess the function of your organs or soft tissue and provide results to your physician.