Different Types of Nuclear Medicine Tests

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

• 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 test in the cardiology section.