What is nuclear medicine and how is different from X-ray and CT?
Radionuclide exams, also known as nuclear medicine, use an X-ray-like radiation. The method of use, however, is quite different from X-rays and CT. Images are produced using detectors that may look similar to CT and MRI, but are called SPECT, PET, and/or imaging cameras. Small or trace amounts of radioactive material is administered to the patient to diagnose or treat a variety of diseases, including many types of cancers, heart disease and certain other abnormalities within the body. The nuclear medicine imaging equipment (SPECT, PET, PET/CT, SPECT/CT) work together with a computer to measure the amount of radiotracer absorbed by your body and to produce special pictures offering details on both the structure and function of organs and tissues. Once the radioactive tracer is administered, then many images may be obtained and at different time intervals without administering more radiation.
