Advantages and limitations of nuclear medicine?

Functional imaging..: Nuclear imaging allows one to see physiologic function. The use of new nuclear fusion imaging such as pet/ct allows physicians to get the best of both worlds and see anatomy and function simultaneously. One must always remember that nuclear procedures contribute to a patient's radiation exposure but the benefits of the nuclear procedure usually outweigh the risks of the radiation.

Physiologic study: Nuclear scans involve ingestion, intravenous injection, inhalation, subcutaneous injection , instillation into bladder of isotopes, radiotracers, in order to see function of various organs of body, heart, lungs, bones, liver/spleen, stomach, thyroid, lymph system, kidneys, bladder, brain, parathyroid gland and gall bladder.Normal values for adults and children are known.Radiation involved, not anatomic.