nuclear scanning

nuclear scanning

Any diagnostic procedure (e.g., bone scan, liver scan, thyroid scan) that uses a radioisotope (e.g., 99m-Technetium (99mTc) or 123-iodine (123I)) linked to a molecule that selectively concentrates in a particular tissue. After administration, the compound’s distribution in the body is evaluated using a scintillation camera; any region that is larger, brighter or located in different sites is at least suspicious of harbouring a neoplasm.  

Risks
The amount of radioactivity in the isotopes used in diagnostic medicine are minimal and pose no threat to health; moreover the body flushes out or “turns over” the radioactive ions within hours to days after the study’s completion.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

nuclear scanning

Radionuclide imaging Imaging Any diagnostic procedure–eg, bone scan, liver scan, thyroid scan–that use a radioisotope–eg, 99m-Technitium–99mTc or 123-iodine–123I, linked to a molecule that selectively concentrates in a particular tissue; after administration, the compound's distribution in the body is evaluated using a scintillation camera; any region that is larger, brighter, or located in different sites than normal is regarded as diagnostic or at least suspicious of having a disease process. See Bone scan, Thyroid scan.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Nuclear scanning

Use of injected radioactive elements to analyze blood flow.

Mentioned in: Priapism

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.