238 S. Congress
Rushville, IL 62681
Telephone: (217) 322-4321
Fax: (217) 322-2608
Services > Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine is a non-invasive imaging technique that produces three-dimensional images of tissue and bone. During a nuclear medicine procedure, a technician injects a small amount of radioactive dye into the suspected site where it is tracked by a special camera. A computer then sends the data to a screen that produces realistic images of the tissue or bone. These images give doctors a non-invasive way to "peek" inside the body to find disease or damage as early and accurately as possible.
Most patients undergo a nuclear medicine examination because their primary care physician has recommended it. A physician who has specialized training in nuclear medicine will interpret the images and forward a report to your physician. It usually takes a day or so to interpret, report and deliver the results.
Usually, no special preparation is needed for a nuclear medicine examination. However, if the procedure involves evaluation of the stomach, you may have to skip a meal before the test. If the procedure involves evaluation of the kidneys, you may need to drink plenty of water before the test.
While the images are being obtained, you must remain as still as possible. This is especially true when a series of images is obtained to show how an organ functions over time.
Most of the radioactivity passes out of your body in urine or stool. The rest simply disappears through natural loss of radioactivity over time.
Culbertson Memorial Hospital
238 S. Congress
Rushville, IL 62681
Telephone: (217) 322-4321
Fax: (217) 322-2608