Nuclear medicine specialists at Narayana Health specialise in using radioactive materials, called radioisotopes or radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose and treat various diseases. Today, about one-third of all modern medical procedures involve radiation. These procedures are safe, effective and painless. Plus, anaesthesia is not required for nuclear health care.

Covering a wide range of conditions like blood disorders, lung problems, and cancer, this advanced field of medicine offers deeper insights into the functioning of the body, as well as effective treatment options.

Our Department of Nuclear Medicine offers a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The department is equipped with a state-of-the-art gamma camera (SPECT CT), stress laboratory and PET CT machine. We also have well-designed radioiodine therapy wards for treating patients with thyroid cancer.

Our Nuclear Medicine Diagnosis Services

We offer nuclear medicine tests to diagnose a wide range of health conditions. The patient will be required to swallow, inhale or be injected with a small amount of a radiopharmaceutical. After this, imaging tests will be conducted using a camera that detects where the radiopharmaceutical is most concentrated in the body. This not only helps the doctor see where the problem exists, but also understand what the problem might be.

Two types of imaging techniques are usually used in nuclear medicine scans:

Positron emission tomography (PET)
Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Both PET and SPECT scans can help diagnose diseases of the thyroid, gall bladder and heart. They are also used to diagnose cancer and brain disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease. These nuclear medicine tests are also used to see how the treatment is progressing.

How to Prepare for Nuclear Imaging Tests

The first thing you should know is that most nuclear medicine tests require you to remain on an empty stomach, although you might be required to drink a specific amount of water to aid the radioactive substance travel through the bloodstream for proper imaging.

Women should inform the technologist and doctor if they are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Also, inform the doctor and technologist regarding any medications the patient might be taking, including herbal and vitamin supplements. Let them also know about any recent illnesses, surgical procedures, allergies and other medical conditions.

It is best to leave jewellery and accessories at home or remove them before the exam since they might interfere with the scans.

Your doctor will inform you regarding any other specific preparations required for the tests.

Conditions We Treat with Nuclear Medicine

Blood Disorders

For people with blood disorders, nuclear medicine scans play a crucial role in diagnosing and managing the condition effectively. Assessing the function of the bone marrow helps detect abnormalities associated with the production of blood. Symptoms like extreme weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, unusual bruising and bleeding that causes frequent infections are a signal to consult a nuclear medicine doctor, who can help determine the nature and severity of the condition, while providing a personalised healthcare plan.

Leukaemia and lymphoma are two common blood disorders that are often treated with targeted interventions available through nuclear medicine. Radioisotope therapy delivers radiation to the damaged cells while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Radioimmunotherapy might also be used in conjunction with this therapy, where monoclonal antibodies are used to destroy malignant cells. These precision techniques ensure effective treatment with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.

Heart Disorders

Heart disorders can manifest as frequent chest pains, palpitations, shortness of breath and swelling in the legs or around the ankles. It is important to seek early diagnosis and monitor the condition for a better quality of life. Techniques like nuclear PET scans or myocardial perfusion imaging may be used to reach an accurate diagnosis. Early detection can prevent serious heart conditions, like coronary artery disease, by constantly assessing the functioning of the heart muscles.

Our doctors treat diseases like coronary artery disease and heart failure with the help of various nuclear medicine services that help to effectively manage the condition. Myocardial perfusion imaging not only helps reach a diagnosis, but also works as an efficient intervention. Some cases may also require radioisotope therapy to help manage abnormal heart rhythms.

Lung Problems

Nuclear medicine has proven extremely useful in diagnosing and treating a variety of lung problems, which can show up as persistent cough, chest pains, wheezing and recurrent respiratory infections. Scans, such as the ventilation-perfusion scan, may be used to detect lung disorders like pulmonary embolism. These scans help in understanding the blood and airflow to the heart, which can influence the treatment. With timely detection and correct monitoring of the lungs, patients can receive accurate nuclear health care for maximum recovery.

Problems like pulmonary embolism and lung cancer can significantly benefit from nuclear medicine scans that are used to guide targeted therapies. Many times, injection of radioactive particles may be needed to deliver precise radiation to a tumour to control its size, speed of growth and spread, while ensuring that healthy tissues remain unaffected. We use advanced techniques to provide comprehensive care that ensures the best possible outcomes.

Bone Problems

Severe pain and swelling in the arms and legs and limited mobility are signs that you should consult a nuclear medicine specialist. Our services for bone-related disorders include bone scans to understand the problem and reach a precise treatment plan for infections, fractures and cancers. These scans also help detect any abnormalities that may be present in the metabolism of the bone. They also help detect bone metastases in cancer patients while helping doctors examine the severity of infections in the bone. An accurate diagnosis and targeted interventions become easy with advanced nuclear medicine tests.

Osteomyelitis and metastatic bone diseases are commonly treated with the help of nuclear medicine, where the doctor administers radiopharmaceuticals and radioisotope therapy to manage pain. These techniques deliver radiation that also reduces tumour size. This targeted approach provides relief to patients suffering from severe bone conditions. An elaborate nuclear medicine health care plan helps us adjust the treatments and monitor their effectiveness to ensure a successful and speedy recovery.

Cancers

Cancers are abnormal growth of cells that can manifest in any part of the body. While the symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the location, type and size of the tumour, some common symptoms include drastic weight loss, pain, abnormal lumps and persistent fatigue. Nuclear PET scans can help detect various types of cancer and whether they are spreading. While receiving treatments, your doctor will suggest regular nuclear medicine scans to assess the spread of cancer and monitor the progress of the treatment. Nuclear medicine services also help oncologists create an effective plan, which includes targeted therapies to restore normal bodily functions.

Cancer is one of the most significant areas where nuclear medicine has proven its worth. Nuclear medicine tests not only help in diagnosing and ascertaining the stage of cancer but also help in reducing the spread and eliminating the disease. Various radioisotope therapies may be used, depending upon the stage and placement of the tumour. The most common intervention used for cancer is peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, which targets cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. Advanced therapies attack the cancer cells and reduce the burden of the tumour in the body. With a meticulously planned nuclear medicine health care plan, the chances of survival can improve drastically, helping the patient return to normal life.

The Nuclear Medicine Department at Narayana Health aims to give you the best care using advanced medical techniques to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. With numerous targeted treatment options, we focus on innovative solutions to achieve improved outcomes and ensure precision in health care.