Health condition · plain-language reference

Nuclear Scans

Also called: Radioisotope scans, Radionuclide scans

Nuclear scans use radioactive substances to see structures and functions inside your body. They use a special camera that detects radioactivity. Before the test, you receive a small amount of radioactive material. You may get it as an injection. Sometimes you swallow it or inhale it. Then you lie still on a table while the camera makes images. Most scans take 20 to 45 minutes. Nuclear scans can help doctors diagnose many conditions, including cancers, injuries, and infections. They can also show how organs like your heart and lungs are working.

Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (NIH/NLM) ↗. For informational purposes only — not medical advice.