Nuclear Medicine Unit

The Nuclear Medicine Unit at the Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital specialises in advanced functional imaging for diagnostic purposes, particularly in relation to oncological, neurological and cardiovascular conditions.

Its aim is to provide accurate information on how organs and tissues function, enabling the detection of disease at an early stage, the precise determination of its extent and the assessment of response to treatment.

Through the controlled and safe use of radiopharmaceuticals, the unit analyses the metabolic activity of lesions. This data complements — and in many cases expands upon — the information provided by purely anatomical imaging.

This approach enables clinical decisions to be made with greater confidence and sound judgement.

Accurate functional diagnosis in situations requiring the highest level of clinical clarity

Nuclear medicine is indicated when a more in-depth assessment of the disease is required.

The unit carries out key investigations such as initial staging and monitoring of cancer, assessment of response to chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy, the investigation of cognitive impairment, epilepsy and movement disorders, the analysis of myocardial perfusion and viability in cardiology, as well as the assessment of complex bone pathology or suspected metastases.

Each test is requested following a justified medical referral, in accordance with up-to-date clinical guidelines. This ensures that the study provides information relevant to the treatment plan.

Oncological, neurological and cardiological conditions requiring specialist assessment

The Unit routinely deals with conditions in which understanding the biological activity of the disease is crucial.

Each case is analysed on an individual basis, taking into account the overall clinical picture and the available diagnostic options.

Among the most common conditions are solid tumours such as lung, breast and colon cancers, or lymphomas; suspected tumour recurrence or progression; neurodegenerative diseases; coronary heart disease with suspected ischaemia; and bone pain of unknown origin or the investigation of metastases.

The indication is not based on automatic protocols, but on a structured clinical assessment that ensures the test’s actual clinical utility.

Advanced technology supporting evidence-based clinical decision-making

The unit is equipped with state-of-the-art hybrid imaging systems such as PET-CT, which is essential in oncology for early diagnosis and follow-up, and SPECT-CT, which combines anatomical and functional information to provide detailed analysis in cardiology, neurology and bone pathology.

It also carries out established scans such as bone scintigraphy and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, techniques with clearly defined indications and extensive clinical experience.

All examinations are carried out in accordance with strict radiological safety protocols, with individualised dose control and specialised medical supervision.

Multidisciplinary coordination and personalised care planning

The unit works in close collaboration with various medical specialities within the hospital, such as Oncology, Neurology and Cardiology, integrating the results of nuclear medicine scans into the patient’s overall diagnostic process.

This collaboration enables the functional findings from the scans to be correlated with clinical data and other imaging tests, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of the disease.

Each study is interpreted within the individual clinical context, which helps to define the diagnosis more precisely, assess the extent of the condition and evaluate the response to treatment.

This multidisciplinary approach contributes to more precise and personalised treatment planning, particularly in complex conditions such as oncological, neurological and cardiovascular diseases.