Nuclear Medicine Alberta
Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radio-pharmaceutical that is injected and then used to provide an image of an organ system or a particular part of the body. The procedure is performed with a special camera known as a gamma camera. After the injection, nuclear medicine imaging is sometimes performed immediately. Other nuclear medicine studies require delayed imaging after a few hours or even the next day.
Depending on your nuclear medicine exam, you may require some preparation. Please follow the instructions provided by your physician or check out our exam preparation page to learn more about how you can prepare for your particular exam.
If you have any questions, you may talk to a central booking agent at (780) 669-2222, or toll-free at 1-866-771-9446.
What is Nuclear Medicine Imaging?
Nuclear medicine imaging creates a functional image of various organ systems based on how a radiopharmaceutical (minute amount of radiotracer) is distributed or taken up within the body. Nuclear medicine imaging allows radiologists to assess how internal organs are working in addition to the functional state of bony structures.
Nuclear medicine is used to diagnose disease, determine how well an organ is functioning or if there are signs of trauma or infection. It is especially helpful in assessing heart, brain, kidney, lung, thyroid, bones, tumor location and progression or regression of disease before and after treatment.
What to Expect During A Nuclear Imaging Exam
To produce a nuclear medicine image, a radiotracer is administered through an injection, or by inhalation. The radiotracers give off gamma rays that can be detected by special cameras. The information from the camera is then converted into an image.
Our nuclear medicine radiologists evaluate the images and send a report to the doctor who ordered the study.
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
Clinics that Offer Nuclear Medicine:
-
15309 Castle Downs Rd NW
Edmonton, AB T5X 6C3 -
780-457-4070 -
Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- 5307 50 AVE
Leduc, AB T9E 6T2
- 780-486-8104
- Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- 200 Meadowlark Shopping CTR NW
Edmonton, AB T5R 5W9
- 780-489-8430
- Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- 6466 28 AVE NW
Edmonton, AB T6L 6N3
- 780-486-8103
- Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- 136 Athabascan AVE
Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4E3
- 780-464-1515
- Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- 107-505 Queen ST
Spruce Grove, AB T7X 2V2
- 780-962-0297
- Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- 11560 104 AVE NW
Edmonton, AB T5K 2S5
- 780-486-8102
- Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Nuclear Medicine, Imaging, & Treatment Questions
In order to utilize nuclear medicine, a radiotracer is administered through an injection, or by inhalation. The radiotracers used in nuclear medicine give off gamma rays that can be detected by special cameras.
Our nuclear medicine experts analyze the images and send a report to the doctor who ordered the nuclear medicine test.
The length of your nuclear imaging exam can vary dramatically based on many factors. It will depend on what is ordered by your doctor, and the part of your body that is examined. Nuclear Medicine exams have a wide variation of scanning times ranging from a few minutes to several hours. Some imaging is even performed during separate sessions over a few days.
After your nuclear medicine procedure is complete, the radiologist will send the results to your referring physician within 24 hours.
Generally speaking, there is no risk in exposing others to small amounts of radioactivity from diagnostic nuclear medicine scans. However, patients undergoing nuclear medicine procedures will have special guidelines to follow.
Upon booking a nuclear medicine imaging exam, you will receive specific instructions based on the type of scan you are receiving. Details and instructions such as food and drink restrictions, medicine directions, or directions about whether you need to have a full or empty bladder could be required of you before your nuclear medicine exam.
Additionally, you should always let your doctor, the imaging technologist or the radiologist know if you are pregnant or could be pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding before any nuclear medicine scan.
If you are looking for more information about preparing for your nuclear medicine exam, take a look at our exam preparation page.
We offer nuclear medicine treatment at the following locations: Castledowns, Leduc, Meadowlark, Millwoods, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, and Unity Square.
For more information about our nuclear medicine services and what you need to know for your appointment, please give us a call at (780) 669-2222.
Planning your next appointment? Learn more about nuclear medicine exam preparation and find the clinic most convenient for you
