Nuclear Medicine Services in MA & RI
Nuclear medicine uses radioactive materials (or radiopharmaceuticals) to diagnose and treat disease. Nuclear medicine doctors use nuclear imaging tests to see the structure and function of organs, tissues and cells. They also use radiation to treat a variety of diseases, such as overactive thyroid and different types of cancer.
You’ll find nuclear medicine doctors and nuclear radiologists in Southcoast hospitals and physician practices across the South Coast. Reach out to Southcoast Radiology Imaging Services today to find a location near you.
Conditions Treated with Nuclear Medicine
You may see a nuclear medicine doctor for the following conditions:
- Brain conditions, including stroke, seizures, tumors, head trauma, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Cancer and tumors, including lymphoma and cancers of the bone, breast, lung, colon, prostate, liver and thyroid
- Endocrine conditions, including thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and overactive parathyroid (hyperparathyroidism)
- Gastrointestinal conditions, including bile duct blockages, liver disease and infection
- Heart conditions, including abnormal heart rhythms, heart defects, heart failure and coronary artery disease
- Kidney conditions, including infection, injury or obstruction (such as a kidney stone)
- Lung conditions, including pulmonary embolism and end-stage lung disease
Nuclear Medicine Services at Southcoast Health
We offer the following nuclear imaging tests in MA and RI:
- Bone scans to check for infection and bone cancer.
- Gallium scans to look for infection, inflammation or cancer.
- MUGA scans (multigated acquisition) to evaluate signs and symptoms of heart failure
- PET/CT, which is a combination PET and CT scan to diagnose, stage or restage cancer and evaluate treatment. PET/CT scans create three-dimensional (3D) pictures to pinpoint the exact location of cancer.
- SPECT scans (single-photon emission computed tomography) also create 3D images to show blood flow. SPECT scans are particularly useful in diagnosing heart and blood vessel conditions.
Our nuclear medicine team in southeastern MA may also provide radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. Find a radiology imaging location near you to learn more.
The nuclear medicine team at Southcoast Health offer a range of services to patients of all ages in Fall River, New Bedford, Wareham, MA and parts of Rhode Island.