Nuclear medicine is the branch of medicine that makes use of special substances called radioisotopes, which are administered to patients intravenously. The radioisotope after entering the body, is directed and concentrated in the affected area emitting radiation followed by the imaging of the spots through the scintigraph called gamma camera.
Nuclear medicine examinations, or scintigraphy, are carried out for specialised diagnostic problems by qualified medical staff. The examination lasts about 45 minutes and is performed with the patient in a sitting, standing or supine position.
Common nuclear medicine tests include bone scans, kidney scans, thyroid scans , myocardial scans . After the examination and despite the fact that the amount of radiation is very small, patients are advised to avoid prolonged contact with young children or pregnant women for at least 24 hours. Relevant radiation protection instructions will be given by the doctor responsible.