Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine is a specialized area of radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive materials (given either orally or intravenously) to examine an organ's structure and metabolic function, and is used to:
- Scan organs for abnormalities
- Evaluate the spread of cancer
- Locate infection
- Identify blood clots in the lungs
Nuclear medicine technologists at Northwest Health utilize advanced technology that delivers results quickly so doctors can begin treatment as soon as possible. We offer a wide range of diagnostic imaging services, including:
- Brain scans
- Breast scans
- Heart scans, including myocardial perfusion scans
- Red cell mass studies, to diagnose blood diseases or evaluate blood loss
- Renal scans, to examine kidney function
- Thyroid uptake scans
- Tumor imaging
- Whole-body bone scans
Iodine (I-131) Therapy
Northwest Medical Center – Springdale also provides iodine (I-131) therapy which is a nuclear medicine treatment for an overactive thyroid, a condition called hyperthyroidism. It can also be used to treat thyroid cancer. The Springdale hospital is the only facility in Northwest Arkansas that provides comprehensive I-131 therapy.