Nuclear Medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses very small doses of radioactive compounds or radiopharmaceuticals to assess the function of many of the body’s internal organs, and to diagnose  and treat some diseases.  Its applications are of importance to medical specialties such as Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Endocrinology, Hematology, Nephrology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology. Nuclear Medicine studies provide important information about major organ systems.

Nuclear Medicine studies are performed with the administration of a small dose of radiotracer into the body usually by intravenous injection. Radioactive emissions from the radiotracer are detected by a special camera that produces 3D computer generated images. SPECT imagers have special detectors that produce  images and provide information of the molecular distribution inside the body. 

 SPECT scans are primarily used to diagnose and track the progression of heart disease, such as blocked coronary arteries. They are also used to detect disorders in bone, gallbladder disease and intestinal bleeding. Nuclear Medicine procedures are extremely safe, involve little or no patient discomfort and require no sedation or anesthesia.