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NUCLEAR MEDICINE About Nuclear Medicine Nuclear Medicine, located in Medical Imaging on the main floor of The Moncton Hospital, is responsible for diagnosing, staging and treating certain illnesses and diseases. These may include bone metastases, Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, renal artery stenosis, hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease), thyroid cancer and many others. A radioactive product (radiopharmaceutical) is injected either into a vein, muscle or directly under the skin, ingested by mouth, inhaled or administered through eye drops. How the radioactive product is administered depends on the area of interest (for example, if an image of the lungs is required, the product will be inhaled). A gamma ray (special form of energy) is then used to take images of the physiology and anatomy of the organ or area of interest. The Moncton Hospital's six Nuclear Medicine technologists perform scans on approximately 22 people each day. Some common Nuclear Medicine procedures performed at The Moncton Hospital include: Bone Scan: A radioactive product is injected into a vein and the patient will be asked to return for imaging in two or more hours. It is recommended that the patient increases his or her fluid intake for the following 24 hours after the injection. There is no preparation for this exam. Lung Scan: A radioactive product is injected and several images of the lungs are taken. These pictures are checked by a physician and more pictures may be required after a different radioactive product is inhaled. There is no preparation for this exam. MYOVIEW: MYOVIEW is a Technetium 99m (Tc 99m) agent injected intravenously into a patient so that images can be taken as it passes through the heart, lungs and blood vessels. The patient must refrain from eating and drinking from midnight before the test and refrain from caffeinated products for 48 hours before the test, including coffee, tea, caffeinated sodas and chocolate. (For more information, phone Nuclear Medicine at (506) 857-5284). When the patient arrives for the appointment, an IV will be started and an ECG will be completed. The cardiologist will perform a stress test either on the treadmill or with a medication and then inject a radioactive product (MYOVIEW). Pictures of the heart will be taken after the stress test. The patient may be required to return for a second set of pictures the same day or the next day. Renal Scan: Several glasses of water should be drank before coming in for a renal scan. More water will be given once the patient arrives. A radioactive product is injected through an IV. For a renal scan of the kidney, pictures are taken for 30 minutes or longer depending on the type of scan that is required. Some scans require the injection of a diuretic (Lasix) or of a blood pressure medication (Captopril). If a patient is receiving the Captopril renal scan, he or she must fast for four hours prior to the test and stop any blood pressure medication for 48 hours before the procedure under the direction of a physician. Thyroid Scan: A radioactive product is injected 15 minutes prior to imaging (or longer). Thyroid medications should cease for one week prior to the exam under the direction of a physician. Contact information: Nuclear Medicine - Medical Imaging Ph: (506) 857-5284 Fax: (506) 857-5298 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Emergency service is offered after hours  Back to top |
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In nuclear medicine, a radioactive product is administered. A gamma ray is then used to take images of the anatomy and physiology of an organ or area of interest in order to diagnose, stage and treat illnesses and diseases.
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