Nuclear Medicine Alberta

Possible Risks & Side Effects of Nuclear Medicine

In general, side effects from a nuclear medicine exam are very rare and few people experience them. Although allergic reactions can occur from nuclear medicine, they are extremely rare.

Even though adverse reactions to nuclear medicine are usually mild, pass quickly, and need little or no medical treatment. Please let our nuclear medicine personnel know if you have experienced any side effects during a previous procedure.

Nuclear medicine procedures are very safe. Our expert nuclear medicine radiologist team selects the radiation dose to minimize exposure and maximize accuracy.

Generally speaking, during a nuclear medicine exam you are exposed to about as much radiation as an X-ray.

Common Applications of Nuclear Medicine & Imaging

Heart Health

• Detecting the presence of coronary artery disease
• Determining the extent of damage and trauma caused by a heart attack
• Evaluating the blood flow and function of the heart
• Assessing the viability of treatment options for heart surgery
• Measuring heart function before and after chemotherapy
• Analyzing the outcome of a revascularization procedure
• Checking for signs indicating heart transplant rejection

Lung Health

• Determining if there is blood clot present (pulmonary embolism)
• Checking for signs indicating lung transplant rejection
• Evaluating lung function and suitability for surgery

Bone Structure

• Examining bones for potential fractures, infections, and arthritis
• Searching for potential bone biopsy sites
• Assessing the progression of bone tumors or metastatic bone disease

Brain Tissue

• Identifying sections of the brain that could be causing a patient to have seizures
• Helping to plan for certain surgical or radiation procedures
• Detecting evidence of early onset neurological disorders
• Searching for potential brain biopsy sites
• Checking for the presence of a recurring brain tumor

Cancer Treatment

• Assess the presence of cancer and determine staging
• Assessing whether or not cancer has spread
• Measuring how well the cancer is responding to treatment
• Finding the lymph node located closest to a tumor
• Helping to plan further treatment
• Checking for recurring forms of cancer

Renal Function

• Identifying a blockage in a patient’s urinary tract
• Detecting a kidney infection
• Examining blood flow from the kidneys
• Assessing the proper function of the kidneys
• Analyzing an abnormal flow of urine