
Nuclear Medicine is a medical specialty that uses safe, painless, and
cost-effective techniques to diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent serious
diseases. Nuclear Medicine imaging is unique in that it
documents
organ function and structure, in contrast to diagnostic radiology, which
is based upon anatomy. It is a way to gather medical information that
may otherwise be unavailable, require surgery, or necessitate more expensive
diagnostic tests. Nuclear Medicine imaging procedures often identify
abnormalities early in the progression of a disease, long before some
medical problems are apparent with other diagnostic tests. Early detection
may allow for earlier treatment of the disease and increase the potential
for a more successful outcome.
We
have three machines available for imaging at San Antonio Community
Hospital;
a triple head whole body scanner, a triple head cardiac scanner, and
a multi-purpose single head scanner. This equipment represents the
latest
technology for conducting planar and SPECT (single photon emission
computerized tomography).
Examinations are scheduled weekdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If
you have questions about your test, please contact your physician or
the Nuclear Medicine Department at (909) 920-4977.