Imaging and Pathology

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine is the scientific and clinical discipline concerned with diagnostic, therapeutic, and investigative use of radionuclides. Nuclear medicine imaging techniques utilize functional and physiologic distribution of radiopharmaceutical to analyze and display body organ function spatially and temporally. Because the radioactive signal is discrete, it is easily quantized and applicable for computer analysis. Thus, the information obtained can be translated into quantified image displays of numerous bodily functions. This is a marked distinction from routine radiologic analysis of images relying on differential tissue density or shadow analysis.

The division of Nuclear Medicine is a fully equipped division staffed by physicians qualified in nuclear medicine by highly skilled technologists. Nuclear medicine procedures are performed only upon written request. Types of scans include (but are not limited to): bone, gallbladder, thyroid, lung, heart, and bone density.

The Patient Care Inquiry (PCI) system is designed to facilitate instantaneous communication of nuclear medicine data throughout the medical center. Verbal reports are available upon completion of the procedure and written draft reports are available through PCI as soon as transcription is complete. Reports are electronically signed within 24 hours.

Pathology

The St. Joseph Pathology department includes five full-time board certified pathologists who provide surgical pathology services to patients.

Services include surgical pathology and cytopathology. A full range of diagnostic services is available, including frozen section, operating room consultation, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry.

The cytopathology section is equipped to handle all types of specimens: gynecologic, medical-surgical, and fine-needle aspiration biopsies.