 NM
Imaging is a safe process that uses small amounts of radioactive
materials to provide specific and detailed information on
diagnosing of the medical problems related to the organ in
the body.
At KMC we perform diagnostic procedures in Nuclear Medicine
by using very small amounts of radioactive material which
is very safe for our patients. The amount of radiation
that a person receives during the nuclear imaging procedure
is less than the amount of radiation received from a diagnostic
X-ray. The radioactive material compound used as a tracer
is specifically designed to be attracted to the specific
organ being tested. Most tracers are passed quickly
from the body through normal bodily functions. We encourage
our patients to drink plenty of water or liquids after an
examination that will help eliminate the tracer more quickly.
Nuclear Medicine imaging uses a combination of small amounts
of radioactive-tracer and very sensitive camera technology
to provide detail information on an organ specific areas
in the body. The radioactive- tracer enables the Radiologist
to detect and diagnose the disease at the very early stage
of the development.
Most nuclear medicine tests require no special preparation. If
preparation is required, patients are notified prior to the
test by our schedulers.
Depending on the type of exam time will vary and patients
may be required to return for additional images. This
information will be explained to the patient during the scheduling
prior to the test.
The specialized NM technologist will explain the exam to
the patient prior to starting the exam. Depending
on the part of the body to be imaged the patient will receive
either an intravenous injection or swallow a capsule. The
waiting period ranges from 20 minutes to three hours as this
compound travels through the body. When you are ready
for the procedure the technologist will ask you to lie on
an examination table and get comfortable with a camera placed
above you. Warm blankets are always offered and most
patients will nod off while the scan is being performed. We
also offer a varied selection of CD’s that you may
choose to listen to while you are on the table.
Patients should inform their doctor if they are pregnant
or nursing their child. Their physician may recommend
a different type of diagnostic test.
There are different types of test available some of which
include:
- Bone scans to evaluate orthopedic injuries, fractures,
tumors or unexplained bone pain.
- Heart scans to identify blood flow function to the heart
muscle or determine existence or extent of damage to the
heart after a heart attack.
- Thyroid uptake scans to show structure and determine
the function of the thyroid gland.
- Lung scans to evaluate the flow and function of air into
and out of the lungs and detect presence of blood clots.
- Gallbladder (Hepatobiliary) scans to evaluate both liver
and gallbladder function. This test can also determine
the presence of gallstones that can cause obstruction.
Your Nuclear Medicine images will be analyzed by a radiologist,
a physician who specializes in NM testing. The radiologist
will send a signed report which includes an interpretation
of the image to your primary physician. Your physician will
receive your results soon after. At KMC we also offer our
patients a free copy of their exam on CD to share with their
physicians.
Our board certified Radiologists are specially trained to
use radioactive material, diagnose and interpret the images.
The NM technologists are specially trained in the theory
and practice of nuclear medicine procedures and administer
the tracer and operate the equipment used in the test. The
technologists are board certified by the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
The KMC Department physicist monitors the dosage in accordance
to both State and Federal Laws. The department of NM
is fully accredited by the NJ Environmental Protection Radiation
Safety Department.
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