Starship Hospital does not have its own department of Nuclear Medicine. Children who require this type of imaging are seen in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Auckland City Hospital.

This is a specialised scanning method using extremely low-level radioactive isotopes, injected into the bloodstream.  The scanner is called a gamma camera and is used to measure the gamma rays that are emitted from the isotopes.  The radiation disappears with time so does not stay in the child's body. The primary use of Nuclear Medicine in paediatric imaging is for studying the function of the kidneys and bladder, and investigating diseases of bone, thyroid gland, and liver.

Preparation

Preparation for these studies depends on the region being imaged.