Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine at Prime Diagnostic Imaging in Dallas/Fort Worth helps your doctor determine the severity of a medical condition, as well as treat various diseases including cancer, heart disease, and more. These nuclear procedures pinpoint molecular activity inside the body and thus offer the ability to detect diseases in the very early stages.
What Does Nuclear Medicine Do?
Nuclear Medicine imaging is noninvasive and very rarely involves any pain or discomfort. We use radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers that are either swallowed, injected through IV, or inhaled as a gas. Once the radiotracer has made its way throughout the body to the area of interest, a special camera will produce a series of images that visualize the molecular activity.
Doctors utilize Nuclear Medicine procedures to help visualize systems, bones, and organs within the body. Some uses for Nuclear Medicine include:
- Heart disease
- Heart attack damage
- Heart transplant rejection
- Bone fractures, infections, and arthritis
- Prosthetics
- Brain abnormalities
- Various types of cancer
- Gallbladder issues
What Can I Expect?
Your procedure will begin with ingesting, inhaling, or injecting the radiotracer and allowing it to spread through the body. This can take as little as a few minutes, or up to several days depending on the exact requirements. Once the radioactive material has reached the organ or area of concern, our cameras and computers will create several images that offer details of the structure and how it is functioning. Occasionally we will need to take a few more images after reviewing, but this should not be cause for concern.
The best part might be that unless an IV is needed, Nuclear Medicine procedures are typically painless and very rarely involve any side effects or feelings of discomfort.
If your doctor orders Nuclear Medicine imaging for you, rest assured that you are in great hands at Prime Diagnostic Imaging. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff at each convenient DFW location are here to ensure that you feel comfortable and are treated with care. Please contact us if you have any questions.