Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine is a branch of radiology imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose, determine the severity of disease, or treat a disease. A small amount of radioactive material (radioisotope) is combined with a specific medicine (pharmaceutical) to form a radiopharmaceutical that may be given by mouth, by injection, through a tube, or be inhaled. The pharmaceutical portion of the radiopharmaceutical is designed to travel to a particular organ or area of the body. This radiopharmaceutical can then be imaged in the Nuclear Medicine department.
Services We Offer
A wide variety of procedures are offered to image the brain, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary, genitourinary, pulmonary, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems. We offer PET/CT scans, and SPECT scans that combine the nuclear medicine images with low dose CT to better visualize abnormalities seen with the nuclear medicine images. We also offer radioactive therapies for hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, and for neuroendocrine tumors such as neuroblastoma, and Nationwide Children's Hospital has a special room for inpatient treatment involving high doses of radioactivity.
Meet Our Team
We have a team of radiologists who make sure that the exam is tailored to the patient's needs, and provide expert diagnosis and therapy. Our technologist have years of experience working with children and maintain certification with the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
Why Choose Nationwide Children's?
We use state-of-the-art equipment, with ACR certification, designed to deliver the highest imaging quality with the lowest radiation dosage to children. We employ special pediatric protocols to minimize radiation. Our technologists are expert in working with children of all ages. Child life specialists can help children complete exams without sedation, but if sedation is needed, our team of anesthesiologists provide the optimal sedation required.