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Nuclear Medicine

While most imaging procedures show anatomic information, nuclear medicine procedures show physiologic information which allows physicians to evaluate the body's functional processes. This information can help a physician more clearly determine a patient's condition, thus, leading to a more accurate diagnosis and treatment. Functional imaging can sometimes locate diseases or conditions before anatomical imaging.

A few common types of Nuclear Medicine scans

  • Nuclear Cardiac Stress and Rest Scan – A cardiac scan is used to evaluate the blood flow to the heart muscle to determine if there are any blockages in the heart vessels during times of exercise and rest.
  • Thyroid Scan and Thyroid Therapy − A Thyroid Scan evaluates the function of the gland and any nodules felt by the patient's doctor. Thyroid Therapy is used to treat a patient with thyroid cancer.
  • Bone Scan − A bone scan is used to look for a cause of bone pain, such as infection in the bone (osteomyelitis), fracture or arthritis. It is also used to look for cancer which has spread (metastasized) to the bones in patients with a known primary cancer.
  • Kidney (Renal) Scan − A renal scan is used to evaluate the overall function of the kidneys, to diagnose renal hypertension, or to evaluate the function of a transplant kidney.

Saint Agnes Medical Center provides service for all types of Nuclear Medicine procedures.

The physicians at Saint Agnes Medical Center are specifically trained in interpreting the findings of these studies. Additionally, these highly skilled, board certified, physicians treat patients suffering from thyroid disorders.

All technologists who perform studies at Saint Agnes are licensed by both the State of California and either the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The dedicated clerks, assistants, and nurses who work in the Saint Agnes Nuclear Medicine Department also provide specialized services and care for patients and referring physicians.

For more information about nuclear medicine studies, please contact the Saint Agnes Nuclear Medicine Department at (559) 450-3256.