NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Clay County Hospital
83825 Highway 9
Post Office Box 1270
Ashland, AL 36251
(256) 354-1169

Nuclear Medicine is specialized imaging that uses small measured amounts of radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive material) to diagnosis and treat various diseases. Nuclear Medicine imaging provides diagnosis information to the physician about the structure and function of the body's organs and skeletal system. Nuclear Medicine imaging can diagnosis many types of cancer, heart disease, thyroid, liver and bone diseases among other abnormalities within the body.

Depending on the type of Nuclear Medicine exam, radiopharmaceuticals are injected, swallowed or inhaled and then camera detectors use computer technology to form images of the area of interest in the body. The patient is positioned on an exam table to acquire the images. These images can take approximately 20 minutes to several hours depending on the type of scan, with certain scans requiring patients to return after several hours to complete the exam.

With the exception of the IV injection, generally Nuclear Medicine exams rarely give patient discomfort or side effects. Unless otherwise instructed, normal daily activities may be resumed following Nuclear Medicine exams.

Types of Nuclear Medicine Scans offered but not limited to:

Cardiac Stress and Rest imaging
Gallbladder (Hida) scan
Gastric emptying (Meckels) scan
Liver scan
Thyroid and Parathyroid scan
Lung Scan
Renal Scan
Bone Scan (whole body, limited, 3 phase, SPECT)

Here at Clay County Hospital our Nuclear Medicine Department offers many types of scans. We have state of the art Nuclear Medicine imaging equipment and our technologist is specially trained and certified. Share with your physician the desire to have your scans close to home and we will be glad to serve you and our community.

Return to Radiology Imaging Services