Breast Nuclear Imaging

Nuclear imaging is also used to map the location of lymph nodes in the breast area, a procedure known as sentinel lymph node mapping. This is done by injecting a small amount or radio-active medication in the area of a known breast lump and imaging the areas using a special nuclear imaging camera. The subsequent images help determine whether the lymph nodes that drain the area of the lump are located in the axilla (arm-pit) or in the middle of the chest wall. This can help guide surgical therapy of breast cancer.