What can be detected by a nuclear medicine scan?

A nuclear medicine scan primarily focuses on assessing the functional aspects of organs and tissues within the body. This imaging technique uses small amounts of radioactive materials, known as radiopharmaceuticals, which are injected, ingested, or inhaled by the patient. These substances emit gamma rays that can be detected by a special camera, providing insights into how well specific organs are functioning.

For instance, a nuclear medicine scan can reveal how well the heart is pumping blood, how the thyroid gland is utilizing iodine, or how the lungs are ventilating and perfusing. These functional assessments are critical for diagnosing various conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or coronary artery disease, where organ function rather than mere structure is the focal point of evaluation.

While structural abnormalities in bones, sizes of tumors, and presence of fluid in joints are important aspects of medical imaging, they are typically assessed by other modalities such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI, which focus more on the anatomical structure rather than the physiological function depicted in nuclear medicine scans. Thus, the essence of what a nuclear medicine scan can detect lies significantly in its capability to visualize functional abnormalities in organs.