What are some common uses of the procedure?

Children's (pediatric) nuclear medicine imaging is performed to help diagnose childhood disorders that are congenital (present at birth) or that develop during childhood.

Physicians use nuclear medicine imaging to evaluate organ systems, including the:

• kidneys and bladder.
• bones.
• liver and gallbladder.
• gastrointestinal tract.
• heart.
• lungs.
• brain.
• thyroid.

Nuclear medicine scans are typically used to help diagnose and evaluate:

• urinary blockage in the kidney.
• backflow of urine from the bladder into the kidney (reflux).
• bone cancer, infections and trauma.
• gastrointestinal bleeding and motility.
• tumors and the spread of cancerous cells in the body.
• jaundice in newborns and older children.
• epilepsy.
• location, anatomy and function of the thyroid gland.