A health care provider is reviewing a brain scan with a patient.

Redefining Advanced Medical Imaging.

Nuclear Medicine

Enhanced imaging, transformative results

Nuclear medicine imaging is an advanced type of diagnostic imaging that helps measure how well your internal organs are working. Nuclear medicine can make it possible to discover conditions without the need for surgery, particularly in the condition’s earliest — and most easily treated — stages. It also helps us learn to better serve you by checking how well existing treatment is working so we can adapt your care plan if needed.

Schedule Your Imaging Appointment.

Charlotte

Call to schedule or get help with scheduling imaging in the Charlotte area.

704-384-7226

Rowan County

Call to schedule or get help with scheduling imaging in the Rowan County area.

704-210-7762

Wilmington

Call to schedule or get help with scheduling imaging in the Wilmington area.

910-667-8777

Winston-Salem

Call to schedule or get help with scheduling imaging in the Winston-Salem area.

855-794-9729

What Nuclear Medicine Tests

Nuclear medicine scans help diagnose and inform care plans for conditions like:

Many types of tumors and cancers, including thyroid, lymph node, and bone
Heart disease
Hormone disorders and overactive thyroid
Brain and digestive disorders
Infection

A health care provider is reviewing a brain scan on a tablet.

PET CT Scans

One specialized nuclear medicine procedure at Novant Health is a combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scan, or PET CT scan.

By fusing the detailed, 3D PET and CT images, we can not only identify a tumor (PET) — we can pinpoint exactly where it is in your body (CT). This remarkable accuracy helps improve outcomes. And, combining the two tests means added convenience for you: you receive two advanced scans during one seamless visit using a single piece of equipment.

What PET/CT scans diagnose

PET CT scans are often used to see if you have:

They can also determine how far a confirmed cancer has spread or how well it's responding to cancer treatment.

How to prepare

Before your PET CT scan:

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before.
Avoid drinking coffee or large volumes of fluid.
Avoid exercising for 24 hours.
You can continue to take your regular medications.

Diabetic patients will receive special instructions to prepare for this exam.

Process

A PET/CT scan itself typically only takes about 30 minutes. However, your entire visit can last up to two or three hours.

Your care team will inject a small, safe amount of a radiopharmaceutical into your bloodstream. This is what helps create your images.
After your injection, you will wait about an hour to allow the material to travel through your body and be absorbed by the organ or tissue being studied. You will be asked to rest quietly, avoiding movement and talking.
You will be positioned upright on an exam table, then moved into the PET/CT scanner.
The CT exam will be done first, followed by the PET scan. You will need to remain still while the images are taken.
Your technologist will verify that they have all the images they need. They will then remove your IV.

What to Expect

Mature man sitting at a table reading the label on his medication bottle.

Remove anything that could have metal in it, including dentures, wigs, hearing aids, jewelry, belts, zips, hooks, buckles, hair ornaments, watches, studs, keys, and coins.
Wear loose, comfortable clothes. You may be asked to wear a hospital gown during your exam.
Follow any other instructions from your care team on how to prepare, including if you need to change your eating, drinking, or medication habits.

Dr. Gina Culpepper, is preparing patient for an imaging scan.

What the procedure looks like depends on the nuclear medicine scan you're getting. With most procedures, small, safe amounts of radioactive material, called radiopharmaceuticals, are put into your body. Medical imaging specialists then use a special camera and computer to detect the radiation and create images to study.

A young woman is sitting in an exam room talking with a nurse. As she talks, she has placed her hand over her chest.

Talk to your care team if you have a fear of being in enclosed spaces (claustrophobia).
Unless your care team tells you otherwise, you will not need to recover — you can go about your normal activities as usual right after the exam.

A man and his pregnant partner are sitting on their couch together reviewing information on a tablet.

Tell your care team if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding. They may suggest a different exam, such as an MRI or ultrasound.

A Novant Health nurse is holding paperwork as she explains information to a patient.

It is important that you keep your scheduled imaging appointment. If you will be late due to an emergency, please call our scheduling team as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule.

Bring the following documents to your appointment:

Referral form from your doctor
Current insurance card
Contact information
Payment (if applicable)

Be sure to take advantage of Novant Health’s many free healthcare cost planning resources, including financial navigators.

A health care provider is reviewing an x-ray while talking on the phone.

A radiologist will review your medical images and report their findings to your doctor 24 to 72 hours after your exam. Your doctor will contact you to discuss your results.

Take advantage of Novant Health MyChart to:

View your imaging results as soon as they’re available
Contact your doctor
Schedule appointments

For Your Safety

It's possible you may be given a contrast solution for this exam. This helps make your images as clear as possible. If a contrast solution is needed, it's possible you may:

Be given the solution through an injection or intravenous line (IV)
Need to adjust your eating and drinking habits before the exam
Have some mild side effects

When contrast is needed, it's possible the scan could have more risk for certain people. Make sure your care team knows:

If you have any allergies at all, especially to iodine or contrast solution
Your long-term and recent medical history
Any medications or supplements you take

Allergic reactions are extremely rare. If you do have a reaction, our expert providers are trained to provide the help you need.

A healthcare provider is resting her hand on a patients shoulder as she is talking and preparing her for an imaging scan.

Your Well-Being Is Our Priority.

If you have any anxiety about your imaging procedure, reach out to your care team. Novant Health's experienced providers are ready to listen and help put you at ease.

Find Imaging Centers Near You.

The care team referring you for imaging may help you set up your appointment at a particular location. You can also choose to schedule your imaging appointment at the imaging center most convenient to you. Visit individual imaging center websites to learn which specific types of imaging are offered at or to schedule at that location.

Referring a Patient?

If you're a referring physician or healthcare professional, we can help you find the right specialist, programs and services for your patient.