NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Nuclear medicine and bone scans ensure that your bones, organs and tissues are functioning properly, not just looking good. 

Nuclear medicine is a diagnostic form of imaging revealing much more than an X-ray. Nuclear medicine procedures detect the radioactivity emitting from the patient's body after receiving an injection of a small amount of radioactive material.

Often described as an "inside-out" X-ray, nuclear medicine procedures use a special camera that detects the radiation emitted from specific organs, bones and tissues to determine medical conditions.

One of the most common nuclear medicine procedures is a stress test.

A stress test typically evaluates functions of the heart during periods of rest and periods of activity as a means of tracing functions such as blood flow. A stress test includes the IV injection of a radioactive tracer followed by imaging taken during rest on a table under a gamma camera for 15-20 minutes. Then after walking on a treadmill, another set of images will be taken under the gamma camera. Appointments typically last 2 to 3 hours.

It is important to check with your physician for instructions on how to prepare for the stress test. You will be asked not to eat or drink for a set period before the exam. You will also need to avoid caffeine and over-the-counter medicines. If you have diabetes, asthma or take heart medications you may be asked not to take them prior to the exam.

Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for the exam. Do not apply oil, lotion or cream to your skin on the day of the nuclear stress test. The stress test can be performed alone or in combination with other nuclear medicine exams.

Nuclear Medicine Exam Instructions

Thank you for choosing Aultman Alliance Community Hospital to perform your nuclear medicine examination. We realize you may have questions regarding your upcoming exam and hope this information will help explain the procedure to you.

To schedule your appointment, call Central Scheduling at 330-596-7187.