Molecular medicine and imaging (also called radionuclide scanning) is a diagnostic tool that shows the anatomy as well as the function of an organ or body part. The body parts most commonly examined are: 1) Bone; 2) Thyroid; 3) Biliary Tract; 4) Heart.
It provides visualization of organs and regions within organs that can not be seen on conventional x-ray images. This allows the diagnosis of certain diseases and various medical conditions much sooner than other medical imaging examinations which provide mainly anatomic (structural) information about an organ or body part.
Molecular medicine and imaging may be valuable in the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of numerous medical conditions. Test that utilize nuclear medicine include bone scans, cardiac angiography, treadmill stress tests, and others.
