The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. The thyroid gland produces three hormones, thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and calcitonin. The main two, T4 and T3, control metabolism, the process of transforming food into energy. When the thyroid produces too much or too little of these hormones, serious symptoms or problems may occur. A thyroid imaging scan is a common procedure indicated for people experiencing certain symptoms and/or clinical indicators.
Nuclear medicine is a specialized branch of radiology that uses small doses of radioactive materials, called radiotracers or radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose and treat a wide array of diseases. Unlike other imaging techniques, such as X-ray, fluoroscopy and computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine is able to deliver real-time imaging of organs and tissues as well as capture how they’re working.
After the radiotracer is introduced into the body via injection or capsule, it is absorbed by the tissues of the area(s) being investigated. Using a specialized gamma camera, images of the highlighted organ or structure are taken, and live monitoring of function may be studied and recorded.
Painless, noninvasive nuclear medicine scans offer multiple advantages, including:
● Diagnostic detail. Nuclear medicine scans reveal how organs, tissues and structures function down to the cellular level, providing comprehensive information other imaging studies can’t. With remarkable detail, it pinpoints abnormalities in size, shape and working order of internal organs and structures much earlier than many other diagnostic tests. When it comes to disease and dysfunction, early detection enables rapid treatment, so disease has less of a chance to progress.
● Combination scanning. Imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET), can be combined with computed tomography (CT), for PET/CT scanning, which together create 3D-quality imaging of organs, structures and cells. While CT provides images of organs, PET captures the natural activity and metabolism of cells to discover damage and disease. PET is commonly used to diagnose heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain disorders, and to assess tumors.
● Personalized treatment of disease. Nuclear medicine utilizes radiopharmaceuticals to target and image a variety of health issues, including hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, certain tumors, bone pain, and other problems. The use of radiotracers in nuclear medicine can allow your medical team to personalize treatment plans based on your specific condition and response to therapy.
RAO’s Medical Imaging Center at Windsor Oaks offers a wide range of the latest nuclear medicine scans. Both centers are fully accredited by the American College of Radiology in nuclear medicine, PET/CT, and other imaging modalities for outstanding accuracy, safety and practice standards. Our services include:
PET/CT combines Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography to provide both functional and anatomical information in a single scan, for ultimate diagnostic accuracy. RAO features the revolutionary Siemens biograph for outstanding speed and precision, promoting earlier diagnosis, pinpoint localization and the targeted treatment of disease.
A nuclear medicine bone scan is often ordered to check for cancer that has metastasized to the bones, and monitor the effectiveness of treatment. It can discover tumors and infections sooner than other imaging techniques. Bone scans may also be used to diagnose arthritis and assess response to therapy.
The DaTscan is a nuclear medicine study in which an injected radiotracer travels to the brain, illuminating the neurons responsible for controlling movement. It is used to differentiate essential tremor from Parkinson’s Disease and related neuronal disorders.
Unlike less sophisticated scans, DaTscan results are available in just weeks, rather than months or even years, enabling rapid treatment and the possibility of slowing disease progression.
A nuclear medicine gallium scan travels through the entire body to reveal tumors and signs of infection. Gallium is used because many types of cancer cells absorb it in higher amounts than normal cells, revealing lymphoma, new infections and other problems early in their course. Because different tissues have varying absorption rates, the gallium scan is performed in multiple stages over three days.
A gastric emptying tscan is used to look for slow gastric emptying (gastroparesis), which can cause symptoms including cramping, gas, reflux, nausea and vomiting. With a gastric emptying scan, the radiopharmaceutical is swallowed, where it travels to the stomach. Once absorbed, images are taken at regular intervals so slow motility can be identified.
A gallbladder scan is used to diagnose and monitor gallbladder disease, study gallbladder function, and check for any biliary duct obstructions caused by gallstones, hematomas, abscesses, tumors, cysts or enlargement of the gallbladder.
A nuclear medicine thyroid scan utilizes radioactive material to evaluate thyroid size, structure, position and function. The thyroid scan measures how the gland is performing, and to diagnose signs of underactivity (hypothyroidism), overactivity (hyperthyroidism), cancer, nodules, inflammation and damage. The procedure involves two visits over two separate days.
Certainly, the idea of introducing a radioactive material into the body may sound a bit ominous. However, rest assured that nuclear medicine scans are among the safest diagnostic procedures being used today. The radiation dose of the radiopharmaceutical is quite low and is typically expelled from the body within 24-48 hours.
However, nuclear medicine scans should not be used during pregnancy or while nursing a newborn.
In addition to ongoing ACR-accreditation, RAO is proud to have a team of Board-certified radiologists whose subspecialties include diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine. We also offer interventional radiology procedures such as nonsurgical tumor treatment, and other gold-standard services, for safe, comprehensive care.
