Nuclear medicine in Switzerland, Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Lucerne, Basel, Ticino

Nuclear medicine encompasses all the techniques in which radioactive substances are used in humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. With the aid of nuclear medicine, the functions of various organs can be investigated by the administration of a very small dose of a radioactive medicine (physiologically active product bound to a radioactive isotope). Cameras detect the rays emitted by this isotope and produce images. Two types of examination procedures are used: scintigraphy and PET scans. Nuclear medicine also uses radioactive medicines in treatments to destroy diseased cells.

Nuclear medicine can diagnose many different kinds of diseases. It can be used to identify abnormal lesions deep in the body without exploratory surgery. The procedures can also determine whether or not certain organs are functioning normally. For example, nuclear medicine can determine whether or not the heart can pump blood adequately, if the brain is receiving an adequate blood supply, and if the brain cells are functioning properly or not. Nuclear medicine can determine whether or not the kidneys are functioning normally, and whether the stomach is emptying properly. It can determine a patient’s blood volume, lung function, vitamin absorption, and bone density. Nuclear medicine can locate the smallest bone fracture before it can be seen on an x-ray.

It can also identify sites if seizures (epilepsy), Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Nuclear medicine can find cancer, determine whether they are responding to treatment, and determine if infected bones will heal.

After a heart attack, nuclear medicine procedures can assess the damage to the heart. It can also tell physicians how well newly transplanted organs are functioning.

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