Different Types of Nuclear Medicine Tests

The following are brief explanations of the nuclear medicine tests performed at IPMC Medical Center.

Whole body bone scan – used to identify metastatic cancer involving the bone.

3 phase bone scan – used to identify fractures.

Thyroid uptake scan – used to visualize the thyroid gland when disease of the thyroid is suspected.

Renal scan – used to indicate the perfusion, function, and structure of the kidneys. It is also used to indicate the presence of obstruction or renovascular hypertension.

Lasix renal scan – records how the kidneys, ureters and the bladder work together.

Captopril renal scan – determines the functional significance of a renal artery or arterial stenosis.

Hepatobiliary – gallbladder scan – valuable in evaluating patients suspected of having gallbladder disease.

Parathyroid scan – done primarily to detect tumors in the parathyroid gland.

Gastric emptying scan – used to determine the rate of gastric emptying. It is performed on patients who have postcibal nausea, vomiting, bloating, early satiety or belching.

Liver/spleen scan – allows for visualization of the liver and spleen. It is indicated for patients with cancer to rule out a metastatic tumor in the liver.

MUGA scan – for patients with cancer or poor carotid function.

Nuclear stress test – please see a detailed explanation of the Stress Test in the cardiology section.

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