The Top Doctors Specializing in NUCLEAR MEDICINE in UT
Updated as of March 07, 2024
Nuclear medicine is a specialized area of radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive materials, or radiopharmaceuticals, to examine organ function and structure. Nuclear medicine imaging is a combination of many different disciplines. These include chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer technology, and medicine. This branch of radiology is often used to help diagnose and treat abnormalities very early in the progression of a disease, such as thyroid cancer.Because X-rays pass through soft tissue, such as intestines, muscles, and blood vessels, these tissues are difficult to visualize on a standard X-ray, unless a contrast agent is used. This allows the tissue to be seen more clearly. Nuclear imaging enables visualization of organ and tissue structure as well as function. The extent to which a radiopharmaceutical is absorbed, or taken up, by a particular organ or tissue may indicate the level of function of the organ or tissue being studied. Thus, diagnostic X-rays are used primarily to study anatomy. Nuclear imaging is used to study organ and tissue function. A tiny amount of a radioactive substance is used during the procedure to assist in the exam. The radioactive substance, called a radionuclide (radiopharmaceutical or radioactive tracer), is absorbed by body tissue. Several different types of radionuclides are available. These include forms of the elements technetium, thallium, gallium, iodine, and xenon. The type of radionuclide used will depend on the type of study and the body part being studied. After the radionuclide has been given and has collected in the body tissue under study, radiation will be given off. This radiation is detected by a radiation detector. The most common type of detector is the gamma camera. Digital signals are produced and stored by a computer when the gamma camera detects the radiation. By measuring the behavior of the radionuclide in the body during a nuclear scan, the healthcare provider can assess and diagnose various conditions, such as tumors, infections, hematomas, organ enlargement, or cysts. A nuclear scan may also be used to assess organ function and blood circulation. Scans are used to diagnose many medical conditions and diseases. Some of the more common tests include the following: Renal scans, Thyroid scans, Bone scans, Gallium scans, Heart scans Brain scans, and Breast scans.
Name | Address |
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ANTHONY HAFEZ |
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH ADULT SERVICES 50 N MEDICAL DR SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84132 Map |
BHASKER KOPPULA |
AMERICAN RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS PLLC SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84106 Map |
KATHRYN MORTON |
INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC 1380 E MEDICAL CTR DR ST GEORGE, UT 84790 Map |
DAVID CRAGUN |
INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC 1055 N 500 W , 101 UVH CARDIOLOGY PROVO, UT 84604 Map |
DAVID LEHMKUHL |
INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC 1380 E MEDICAL CTR DR ST GEORGE, UT 84790 Map |
GREGORY PATCH |
UTAH IMAGING ASSOCIATES INC 380 N 200 W , SUITE 209 BOUNTIFUL, UT 84010 Map |
WAYNE ADAMS |
INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC 5444 S GREEN ST , SUMMIT PHYSICIAN SPECIALISTS MURRAY, UT 84123 Map |