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 Freeman Health System 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
Freeman Health System – Springdale Medical Center 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.