Nuclear radiology is a sub-specialty of radiology in which radioisotopes (compounds containing radioactive forms of atoms) are introduced into the body for the purpose of imaging, evaluating organ function or localizing diseases or tumors. Nuclear radiography shows the size, shape, position and some function of the target organs specific for a particular radioisotope molecule.

Nuclear medicine uses safe, painless techniques to take images of the body in order to provide effective treatment for diseases by identifying abnormalities early on. It uses safe limits of radiopharmaceuticals for imaging or treatment.

When used for imaging purposes, special cameras and computers use the radiopharmaceuticals to provide precise pictures. When it is used for treatment purposes, the radiopharmaceuticals go right to the treated organ (Society of Nuclear Medicine, 2006).

Nuclear medicine serves as an alternate way to gather information that might only be available with surgery or expensive diagnostic tests or may even remain unavailable.