×

Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 622

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine is a branch of radiology that relies on imaging small amounts of radioactive isotopes within the body. The radioisotopes, as they are called, are usually injected into your bloodstream; however, for some tests they are either swallowed or inhaled.

As the radioisotope collects in the area of our body being visualized, it gives of energy that is detected by a nuclear (gamma) camera. The camera sends this information to a computer so they can be turned into images and interpreted by the radiologist. The more common exams performed in nuclear medicine include bone scans, lung scans, and thyroid scans.

What should I expect when I undergo my nuclear medicine exam?

You will receive specific instructions based on the type of exam you will be having. In general, the following guidelines apply to most scans:

  • You will be asked to provide a list of the medications you are currently taking, as well as any known allergies you have.
  • You will probably be allowed to keep your regular clothing on during the test, but avoid wearing anything with zippers or metal snaps, since they can sometimes interfere with the exam pictures.
  • You will most likely be lying down on the exam table and the nuclear camera will be positioned close to your body. If an injection of the isotope is required, an intravenous line will be started in your arm.
  • The time it takes for the injected material to reach the area of interest in your body may be minutes, or it may be hours. The technologist will let you know before the exam starts, so that you will have an idea of how long you will be in the department.
  • When it I time for the imaging to begin, the camera will take a series of pictures. When it does so, you will be asked to remain very still, so that motion does not blur the pictures.
More in this category: « MRI PET/PET-CT »

QUICK LINKS

Career Center
Gift Shop
Jersey Health Connect
Job Search
Library
Nursing
Newsroom
Your Health Series
Volunteer
Contact Us
Financial Assistance Program
Non-Discrimination Statement
COVID-19 Infection Prevention & Mitigation Plan

Paying for Your Care

Price Transparency

For billing related inquiries please call 973.754.2150
or email billingquestions@sjhmc.org

To pay by phone please call 1.888.582.3973
To pay your hospital bill online click here.
To pay your physician bill online click here.



LOCATIONS

St. Joseph’s University Medical Center

703 Main Street
Paterson, NJ 07503
Tel: 973.754.2000

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

703 Main Street
Paterson, NJ 07503
Tel: 973.754.2500

Location Finder

 

Community Health Needs Assessments

2023-2025 St. Joseph’s Health Community Health Needs Assessment Implementation Strategy
2022 St. Joseph's University Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment
2022 St. Joseph's University Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment Executive Summary
2019 St. Joseph's University Medical Center - Summary Report
2019 St. Joseph's Wayne Medical Center - Summary Report
2017 - 2019 St. Joseph’s University Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment - Implementation Strategy
2017 - 2019 St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment - Implementation Strategy
mystjosephsrecord
NYMC SJHS logo
 

Connect with us