Nuclear Medicine

Our team at Valley Radiology is proud to offer our community advanced radiology services that meet their individual needs. Whether you're looking for a clear diagnosis or minimally invasive treatment, we can help you find the most effective imaging solutions for your situation. 

Nuclear medicine involves the application of radioactive substances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Through this process, our radiologists are able to administer radiopharmaceuticals to the patient, giving them the ability to image and depict the extent of a disease process in the body. Our advanced technology, machinery and techniques allow us to get the clearest picture of your body and help you find the best treatment. 

Nuclear Medicine Scans for Many Types of Conditions:

 We pride ourselves on offering a variety of services for nuclear medicine in Fayetteville and surrounding areas, including:

  • Bone Scan - Bone scans are used in the detection and monitoring of disorders that affect the bones, including Paget disease, cancer, infections and fractures. Bone scanning is also helpful in evaluating and measuring the activity of certain joint diseases.
  • Cardiac Nuclear Medicine - This is useful in diagnosing and assessing coronary artery disease. Cardiac nuclear medicine is also used to evaluate cardiomyopathy and identify possible damage to the heart from chemotherapy or radiotherapy. MUGA scans are utilized to evaluate the condition of the heart's myocardium through injecting radioisotopes, followed by the use of a gamma camera to measure ventricular contractions to evaluate the patient's heart wall.
  • CSF Analysis -This diagnostic test examines the fluid surrounding the brain and spine to identify infections or nervous system-related issues.
  • FDG PET Scan for Cancer - This imaging technique detects cancerous areas using radioactive sugar that cancer cells metabolize faster than normal cells.
  • Gastric Emptying Study - A gastric emptying study measures how long it takes for food to move through your stomach.
  • HIDA Scan and HIDA with EF - A HIDA scan is an imaging test used to examine the gallbladder and ducts leading into and out of the gallbladder. The patient receives an intravenous injection of a radioactive material called hydroxy iminodiacetic acid (HIDA). The HIDA material is taken up by the liver and excreted into the biliary tract HIDA Scan EF (with Ejection Fraction), a two-part study to determine the ability of the gallbladder to accumulate, then excrete bile. The first part is done over a one-hour period and can be done on any patient. The second part, the ejection fraction, cannot be done unless preceded by an ultrasound that indicates that there are no stones in the gallbladder.
  • Liver/Spleen Scan - During a liver and spleen scan, a radioactive tracer substance is put into a vein (IV) in the arm. It moves through the blood to the liver and spleen. The pattern in which the tracer spreads through the liver and spleen can help find cysts, abscesses, certain types of tumors or problems with liver function.
  • Octreotide Scan - A specialized imaging procedure, the octreotide scan detects tumors, particularly those linked to the nervous system and hormone-producing glands, using a radioactive octreotide.
  • Parathyroid Scan - The parathyroid scan is a test that studies the thyroid and parathyroid glands. The purpose of this test is to find out which of the four parathyroid glands may be hyperactive before surgery to remove it.
  • PET Scan - Utilizing a unique radioactive substance, PET scans reveal the functioning of organs and tissues, enabling the detection of diseases such as cancer or heart problems.
  • PSMA PET Scan - Specifically designed for prostate cancer detection and tracking, this scan employs a radioactive substance that targets prostate cancer cells throughout the body.
  • Renal (Kidney) Scan - A renal scan is a nuclear medicine exam in which a small amount of radioactive material (radioisotope) is used to measure the function of the kidneys.
  • SPECT - A SPECT scan integrates computed tomography (CT) and a radioactive material (tracer) to view your body. The tracer is what allows doctors to see how blood flows to tissues and organs. Before the SPECT scan, you are injected with a chemical that is radiolabeled, meaning it emits gamma rays that can be detected by the scanner. The computer collects the information emitted by the gamma rays and translates them into two-dimensional cross-sections. These cross-sections can be added back together to form a 3D image of your brain.
  • Tagged RBC and GI Bleed Scan - Employing tagged red blood cells injected into the bloodstream, this scan pinpoints sites of gastrointestinal bleeding, aiding in locating the source and severity of the bleed.
  • Thyroid Uptake and Scan - The role of this procedure is to evaluate thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and goiters. The uptake probe used to perform the uptake measurement and the gamma camera used to take pictures of your thyroid gland do not produce any radiation. Each instrument simply detects and/or records the distribution of radioactive material in your thyroid.
  • White Blood Cell (WBC) Scan - By using a radioactive substance that highlights areas of infection or inflammation where white blood cells are active, this scan assists in identifying problem areas in the body.

Imaging Professionals You Can Trust

At Valley Radiology, our radiologists are experts in their field, with training in a variety of subspecialties, including nuclear medicine. Learn more information about our Nuclear Radiology service by calling Valley Regional Imaging (910) 323-2209 or fill out a contact form today!