Pediatric nuclear medicine (NM) imaging

Q: Will my child feel any pain with the nuclear medicine or molecular imaging?

Your child will feel no pain during the exam. If the radiopharmaceutical must be given by IV, your child will feel a little pinch when the IV is started.

Q: Can I stay with my child during the procedure?

During the study, you will be asked to wait in the waiting room until the test is completed. We understand this can be stressful and we do all we can to make sure that you are separated from your child for the shortest amount of time possible.

At Children’s Health℠, our specialized pediatric nuclear medicine facilities are designed specifically for children in order to get the highest quality images in the shortest amount of time. Our scanners and cameras are certified by the American College of Radiology for image quality and our technologists are experienced in working with children of all ages and a wide range of conditions. Our pediatric radiologists and technologists complete each imaging study using radiation doses that are specifically calculated for that individual child.

Overview

What is pediatric nuclear medicine (NM) imaging testing?

Nuclear medicine (NM) uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose and determine the severity of or treat a variety of diseases. These imaging studies are able to identify molecular activity within the body and diagnose conditions at their earliest stage as well as monitor your child’s response to treatment if necessary.

Nuclear medicine (NM) Imaging and single-photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT) uses radiopharmaceuticals and specialized Gamma cameras that can detect the breakdown of those radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat various diseases. These images allow doctors to look for cancers, heart disease and other conditions, help doctors choose the best treatment and to show how well a treatment is working.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scans analyze measurements such as blood flow, oxygen usage and sugar (glucose) metabolism to determine how well organs and tissues are functioning. Our PET scanner also combines the imaging capabilities of a CT scan which allows for more accurate diagnoses than the two scans performed separately.