By Maria Zeny Lauron-Loquaino, M.D., FPCP, CCD
SPHI Nuclear Medicine Dept. Consultant
Certified Medical Densitometrist
HAVE you ever asked yourself these following questions?
* How does my heart work?
* How strong are my bones?
* How well does my kidney function?
* Are the diseases that I am suffering from improving, stable, or worsening?
The Nuclear Medicine Department of St. Paul’s Hospital of Iloilo has the answer to these questions. It offers Cardiac Scan, Bone Scan, Whole Body Scan (I-131), Bone Densitometry, Kidney Scan, Thyroid Uptake and Scan, and Radioactive Iodine Therapy (RAI) to name a few.
Nuclear Medicine is a branch of medicine that uses a very small amount of radiation to diagnose and treat diseases. It can identify abnormalities in the very early course of the disease long before it becomes apparent in other laboratory tests.
For example, a nuclear bone scan can see areas of metastasis (or cancer spread) in the bones before it can be seen in a conventional x-ray.
A cardiac scan gives your doctor an idea of whether blood in your heart is flowing well or if you are in the verge of a fatal heart attack.
A kidney scan, on the other hand, can give you specific and accurate information about your kidney function. It is capable of precisely measuring the amount of urine your kidneys are putting out every minute. Thus, your doctor can give you the best advice on how to protect your kidneys or he can give you medicines in order to slow down progression of the disease.
Bone Densitometry is another diagnostic procedure especially indicated for women after menopause and for persons with ailments or taking medicines that can cause osteoporosis. Because osteoporosis is a silent disease, you may not be aware of it until a fracture has occurred. Thus, this procedure is valuable in pinpointing which bones are fragile and likely to break at a slightest trauma.
Nuclear Medicine also plays a very important part in the treatment of thyroid disorders. It uses a form of radiation called Radioactive Iodine Therapy (RAI) to destroy overactive thyroid tissue in patients with hyperthyroidism, to shrink large thyroid glands that are functioning normally but are causing problems because of their size and, to kill thyroid cancer cells and keep them from coming back.
To know more about our Nuclear Medicine Department and how it can help you and your family, you may call us at (033) 3372742 to 49, local 6375;Mobile Number: 09323584102, or visit our FB page SPHI Nuclear Medicine Department. Also, check us at our official SPHI FB page at SphiloiloOfficial and website at www.sphiloilo.com. We are open on Mondays-Fridays (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) and Saturdays (7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) and closed on Sundays and holidays./PN