Today, modern medicine is undergoing another major transformation—and nuclear medicine is on its leading edge, probing deep inside the body to reveal its inner workings. Nuclear imaging produces images by detecting radiation from different parts of the body after a radioactive tracer material is administered. The images are recorded on computer and on film.
Unlike conventional imaging studies that produce primarily structural pictures, nuclear medicine visualizes how the body is functioning and what’s happening at the cellular level. The evolution in diagnostic imaging—from producing anatomical pictures to imaging and measuring the body’s physiological processes—is critically important to all facets of medicine today, from diagnosing disease at its earliest stage and developing more effective therapies to personalizing medical treatment.
With the help of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, scientists and healthcare providers are:
- Gaining a better understanding of the pathways of disease
- Quickly assessing new drugs
- Improving the selection of therapy
- Monitoring patient response to treatment
- Finding new ways to identify individuals at risk for disease.
The Nuclear Medicine Department offers both inpatients and outpatients the latest diagnostic imaging, function studies and therapeutic procedures, including:
- Planar
- Dynamic
- Whole body
- SPECT imaging
- Nuclear cardiology studies
Our Nuclear Medicine Services are accredited by the American College of Radiology. All of our nuclear medicine technologists are certified in nuclear medicine technology, and all of our radiologists are board certified.
Hours and Appointments
Good Samaritan Hospital
255 Lafayette Avenue, first floor
Suffern, NY 10901
Open Monday thru Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Emergency procedures are available around the clock)
For appointments and insurance inquiries: 866.596.8456
What do I bring?
You’ll need your insurance information, the prescription for the procedure from your doctor (an electronic order from your doctor is acceptable, too), and a referral if your insurance requires it.
How do I prepare?
For some procedures, a nurse needs to interview you first. We’ll let you know if you need to do this when you schedule an appointment with us. We’ll also give you detailed instructions for eating and whether to take your medication before the test.
How do radiopharmaceuticals work?
Radiopharmaceuticals are injected, swallowed or inhaled. The amount given is very small.
The pharmaceutical part goes to a specific place in the body where there could be disease or an abnormality.
The radioactive part emits radiation - known as gamma rays (similar to X-rays) - which is then detected using a special camera called a gamma camera. This lets the radiologist see what is happening inside your body.
What about radiation exposure?
For therapeutic procedures that use isotopes, our radiologists work closely with your physician to determine the appropriate dosage for you. We’ll inform and advise you on radiation safety before we administer the dose and then follow up with your physician after therapy. The amount of radiation in a typical procedure is comparable to that received during a diagnostic X-ray, and the amount received in a typical treatment procedure is kept within safe limits.
What if I’m pregnant?
This procedure is NOT recommended unless medically necessary upon referring physician and radiologist approval.