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Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

 

Nuclear Medicine Service

Nuclear Medicine is located in the main hospital, building 100. Services offered include General Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, Positron Emission Tomography with CT (PET-CT) and Radionuclide Therapy. We offer fully digital, state of the art equipment in all of our imaging sections. A brief description of our services is provided below.

General Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine involves the intravenous injection of a small amount of a radioactive tracer, called a radiopharmaceutical, which is specific to the body part or organ being imaged. Highly complex imaging cameras (gamma cameras) are used to obtain images in two dimensions or three dimensions, depending on the exam that is requested.

Nuclear Cardiology (Nuclear Stress Test)

A Nuclear Stress Test (also known Myocardial Perfusion Imaging or MPI), involves the intravenous injection of a small amount of a radioactive tracer, called a radiopharmaceutical, to image the heart at rest and during exercise. Utilizing a gamma camera, images are acquired in three dimensions before and after exercise to determine if there are any blockages in the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood.

PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography with CT scan)

PET-CT uses both a PET scanner and a CT scanner to obtain images depicting both function (PET) and structural (CT) information simultaneously. This exam involves the intravenous injection of a small amount of a radioactive tracer, called a radiopharmaceutical. Most PET-CT scans are performed to evaluate tumors and to determine the extent of disease or the effectiveness of therapy (chemotherapy or radiation therapy). Radionuclide Therapy Radionuclide therapy uses radiopharmaceuticals that are ingested orally or injected intravenously, depending upon the disease being treated. Most nuclear medicine therapies can be performed as outpatient procedures since there are few side effects from the treatment and the radiation exposure to the general public can be kept within a safe limit.

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Contact Info

Location

  • C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center
    Building 100
    2nd Floor, C-Wing

Contact Number(s)

  • 727-398-6661 Ext. 14424

Hours of Operation

  • 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.