HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Nuclear Medicine Scan
Topic Overview
Nuclear medicine scans use a special camera (gamma) to take pictures of tissues and organs in the body after a Reference radioactive tracer Opens New Window (radionuclide or radioisotope) is put in a vein in the arm and is absorbed by the tissues and organs. The radioactive tracer shows the activity and function of the tissues or organs.
Each type of tissue that may be scanned (including bones, organs, glands, and blood vessels) uses a different radioactive compound as a tracer. The tracer remains in the body temporarily before it is passed in the urine or stool (feces).
For more information, see the topic:
- Reference Bone Scan.
- Reference Cardiac Blood Pool Scan.
- Reference Gallbladder Scan.
- Reference Gallium Scan.
- Reference Kidney Scan.
- Reference Liver and Spleen Scan.
- Reference Lung Scan.
- Reference Positron Emission Tomography.
- Reference Salivary Gland Scan.
- Reference Testicular Scan.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 1, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Myo Min Han, MD - Nuclear Medicine |
|
© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
