Nuclear Medicine

Both Fremont Medical Center and Rideout Memorial Hospital have a long tradition of excellence in Nuclear Medicine Imaging. This continued with the installation of the ADAC Vertex Imaging System. This has allowed for the upgrading of pre-existing services as well as the addition of several new services.

Nuclear Medicine involves the introduction of tiny amounts of radioactive tracers into the body, which are specifically designed to be attracted to the area(s) of interest. After a short waiting period (0-3 hours), a special camera is used to record the distribution of the tracer within the body. While Nuclear Medicine is generally used to diagnose, it may also be used to treat certain conditions such as hyperthyroidism.

Using small amounts of radioactive material called isotopes, physicians can obtain accurate images to study organs and tissues. Nuclear Medicine scans are extremely safe and carry about the same risk as a common X-Ray. Only tiny amounts of short-lived radioactive material is used.

Nuclear Medicine is an important medical tool in the diagnosis of a variety of conditions including:

• Occult Infections
• Blood clots in the lungs
• Bone Tumors
• Cirrhosis
• Heart Disease
• Hepatitis
• Kidney Function
• Breast Cancer
• Gastrointestinal Bleeding
• Hepatobiliary Disease
• Strokes
• Thyroid Conditions
• Tumors

Requesting Films

If your physician requested you to bring your films to your next office visit, please mention this to the radiology office staff when you check in, and your films will be ready for you shortly after your exam.

If anytime after your exam you need to borrow your films, please cal the Diagnostic Imaging Department at (530) 749-4406.

If you think you may be pregnant, please inform your physician or the technologist before your exam.