Nuclear Medicine uses small amounts of radioactive material called a radiopharmaceutical to aid in the diagnosis of a variety of diseases. Other larger amounts of radioactive material are used to help in the treatment of certain diseases. Nuclear medicine examinations are safe and for the most part, non-invasive.
The radiopharmaceutical emits a small amount of energy in the form of gamma rays. This energy is picked up by a special camera, and with the help of a computer makes pictures that are used to diagnose conditions such as cancer, heart disease, thyroid disease, bone disease, fractures and others.
