isotope study…

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what the risks are thyroid enlargement, scintiscan, scintillation, radionuclide organ imaging, radioisotope, radioactive uptake, pet scan, nuclear radiography, nuclear medicine scan, nuclear radiology, sub-specialty of radiology, radioisotopes, compounds containing radioactive forms of atoms, introduced, the purpose of imaging, evaluating organ function, localizing disease, tumors, unlike conventional, computed radiography, plain x-rays, ct scans, x-ray beams, generated, a machine, projected, the patient, in isotope studies the radiation, gamma rays, originates, a radiopharmaceutical, material tagged, a radioisotope, special detector cameras, placed close against the area of interest, once enough gamma rays, "seen", a computer creates an image showing, isotope localized, the organ, generally, nuclear medicine scans, not provide the level of anatomic detail seen on x-ray, ultrasound, ct, mr images, correlation, imaging, clinical information, laboratory results helps identify, confirm disease, bone scan, nuclear ventriculography, muga, rnv, pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan, thyroid scan, lung scan, renal scan a radioactive isotope needs to be introduced, done in several ways, a needle into a vein, the inside, the elbow, a catheter that is inserted into a vein, artery, guided, organ tested, ingestion, to test the thyroid, patient swallows a pill containing radioactive iodine, subcutaneous injection, under the skin, collecting a patient's own blood, a vein, adding the radioisotope compound, injecting back, after a certain period of time has passed, ranging, a few hours to a day, different exams, placed on a table, a gantry, under the scanner, rotate around the body, must remain still to get accurate, useful images, tests, a counter, over the organ, radioactivity, intensity of radioactivity is recorded, a technician interprets the information, transmitted, computer, guide the camera to specific locations to improve the imaging, inform the technician, physician of all medications, currently, been taking, interfere, the isotopes given, the exam, sure to mention any recent imaging studies involving injected contrast media, dye, oral, rectal contrast, from gastrointestinal studies, interefere, must sign a consent form, the radioactive compound is given, fast overnight, depending on the region scanned, wear a hospital gown, remove jewelry, dentures, metal, affect the scan by blocking the gamma rays, detectors, isotope is injected, a sharp prick, the needle is inserted, a catheter is inserted, site of insertion, numbed, an anesthetic, first feel a prick, the needle is inserted, feel little more than slight pressure, tugging, injection, the isotope, isotope is ingested, flavor, the liquid unpleasant, no pain is involved, extremely sensitive, isotope, nausea, headache, vomiting, discuss allergies, the health care provider, technician, nuclear radiography shows the size, position, function, the target organs specific, particular radioisotope molecule, another test has indicated cancer, abscess, support that diagnosis, indicate the location, repeat examinations, gauge response to therapies, abnormal size, position of an organ, change in organ function, stones, cancer, arthritis, bone fractures, acute infection, growths, abscesses, embolism, obstruction of a vessel, cysts, intrauterine bleeding, spinal fluid leak, spleen injury, swelling, the testicles, blood clots, additional conditions under which the test performed, anaplastic carcinoma, the thyroid, autonomic neuropathy, gastroparesis, huntington's disease, unilateral hydronephrosis generally, energy of emitted radiation in nuclear radiography is similar to that of x-rays used in plain films, ct scans, potential, cell damage, mutations in egg, sperm cells, target organs, the isotope, in the examination, receive the majority, the radiation dose, amounts used, strictly, controlled, regulated, use the least amount necessary, the purpose of imaging, radiation doses used, treatment of certain disorders, instance, iodine, thyroid disease, greater, require additional instructions to protect others, radiation, greatest concern, pregnant, nursing women, infants, fetuses, more sensitive, effects of radiation, still undergoing organ development, higher doses of radiation, repeated exposures to radiation increase the risk, radioactive materials decay, release energy, transform into non-radioactive atoms, at specific rates, the body continuously removes them, filter this radiation, the lungs, kidneys, liver, depending on the compound used, all radioisotope activity eventually stops, a few days, risks related to injections, allergic reactions, radioisotope exist, rare, the specific type of scan, information, benefits of conducting an isotope study to diagnose a potentially serious condition, outweigh concerns, radiation, side effects.