The Medical City’s Department of Nuclear Medicine provides both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the Philippines for various organ systems through the use of radioactive substances. This branch of medicine highly involves the administration of radioactive substances to diagnose and treat diseases. The services are provided by Nuclear Medicine physicians and technologists trained in the safe use of radiopharmaceuticals for imaging and for treatment of a wide spectrum of disease entities. As one of the leading hospitals in the Philippines with Nuclear Medicine services, our team is dedicated to providing safe, effective, and patient-centered care. With a focus on precision and accuracy, we utilize state-of-the-art imaging techniques to detect and monitor diseases such as cancer, heart conditions, and bone disorders. Our therapeutic procedures offer targeted treatments for conditions like hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, and bone pain associated with certain cancers. At The Medical City, we strive to provide the highest quality nuclear medicine care in the Philippines. Our commitment to patient safety and well-being is evident in our adherence to strict regulatory guidelines and our continuous pursuit of excellence in medical practice.
The Medical City's Nuclear Cardiology service specializes in non-invasive imaging techniques to assess heart disorders. Utilizing minimal amounts of radioactive tracers, it offers advanced diagnostic procedures such as myocardial perfusion stress testing and cardiac gated blood pool studies, ensuring accurate evaluations of cardiac health while prioritizing patient safety and comfort.
Myocardial Perfusion Stress Testing is a non-invasive imaging procedure that evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle during physical or pharmacological stress. It helps diagnose coronary artery disease by comparing blood flow under stress and at rest, revealing areas with insufficient blood supply.
A MUGA (Multigated Acquisition) scan is a nuclear imaging test that evaluates heart function by measuring the ejection fraction and assessing cardiac wall motion. It uses a small amount of radioactive material to visualize blood flow and pumping efficiency in the heart during rest and stress.
Infarct Avid Scintigraphy is a nuclear imaging technique that uses radiolabeled markers to identify areas of damaged heart tissue. It helps detect myocardial infarctions by visualizing tracer accumulation in necrotic myocardium, providing insights into the extent of heart damage post-infarction.
Dual isotope SPECT imaging with thallium-201 (Tl-201) at rest and technetium-99m (Tc-99m) sestamibi during stress provides a comprehensive assessment of myocardial perfusion and viability in a single session. This test is conducted at the nuclear medicine department.
Radionuclide therapy, also known as molecular radiotherapy, utilizes radioactive substances called radiopharmaceuticals to target and treat various medical conditions, primarily cancer. By delivering radiation directly to diseased tissues, this therapy aims to destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues, making it a valuable option in oncology.
Iodine-131 therapy is an effective treatment for toxic nodular goiter and toxic multinodular goiter. It involves administering radioactive iodine-131 orally to destroy overactive thyroid tissue and restore normal thyroid function.
Iodine-131 therapy is a targeted treatment for thyroid cancer, particularly effective for differentiated types like papillary and follicular. It involves administering radioactive iodine to destroy residual cancerous thyroid cells post-surgery.
Iodine-131 MIBG therapy is a targeted radiotherapy for neuroendocrine tumors, particularly neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma. It uses radioactive iodine attached to MIBG to selectively destroy cancer cells throughout the body.
The P32 (phosphorus-32) test is a treatment option for Polycythemia Vera (PV), utilizing radioactive phosphorus to reduce excessive blood cell production. This test is carefully administered by Philippine nuclear medicine doctors of The Medical City.
Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) using Yttrium-90 is a minimally invasive nuclear medicine treatment in the Philippines that delivers targeted radiation directly to liver tumors via intra-arterial injection of radioactive microspheres, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Radionuclide Bone Palliation using Samarium-153 involves administering radioactive samarium-153-EDTMP to alleviate pain from metastatic bone disease. This treatment effectively reduces pain in many patients, with mild, transient myelosuppression as a common side effect, enhancing quality of life in advanced cancer cases.
Strontium-89 is a radiopharmaceutical used for palliation of bone pain in patients with metastatic bone disease. It selectively targets osteoblastic lesions, providing effective pain relief with minimal side effects.
Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is a non-invasive imaging technique used to measure bone mineral density (BMD). It employs low-dose X-rays to assess bone strength and diagnose conditions like osteoporosis, helping to evaluate fracture risk and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Bone densitometry, commonly performed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), measures bone mineral density (BMD) to diagnose conditions like osteoporosis. This non-invasive test assesses fracture risk and monitors treatment effectiveness.
The Department of Nuclear Medicine offers body composition analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to measure bone mineral density and assess body fat percentage for health evaluation.
The Pediatrics service of the Department of Nuclear Medicine specializes in non-invasive imaging for children, utilizing tailored protocols and lower radiation doses to diagnose and treat various pediatric conditions safely and effectively.
Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) is a diagnostic tool performed during dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to detect osteoporotic vertebral fractures. It provides low-radiation imaging of the spine, enhancing fracture risk evaluation and treatment planning.
Radioimmunoassay (RIA) is a highly sensitive laboratory technique that uses radiolabeled antibodies to measure specific antigens in biological samples. By exploiting competitive binding between labeled and unlabeled antigens, RIA allows for precise quantification of substances like hormones, enabling critical advancements in medical diagnostics and research.
The Free T3 test measures the level of unbound triiodothyronine in the blood, providing critical information about thyroid function. It helps diagnose conditions like hyperthyroidism and monitors treatment effectiveness, often used alongside TSH and Free T4 tests for comprehensive thyroid assessment.
The Free T4 test measures the level of unbound thyroxine in the blood, providing insight into thyroid function. It helps diagnose conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, as abnormal levels can indicate thyroid disorders or pituitary gland issues.
A TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test measures the level of TSH in the blood, which is produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the thyroid to release thyroid hormones. It is used to diagnose and monitor thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
The thyroglobulin test measures the level of thyroglobulin, a protein produced by the thyroid gland, in the blood. It is primarily used to monitor patients after thyroid cancer treatment, helping to detect recurrence or residual thyroid tissue, guiding further treatment decisions.
The TSH Receptor Antibody (TRAb) test measures antibodies that bind to and stimulate or block the TSH receptor, causing hyperthyroidism in Graves' disease. It helps diagnose and monitor Graves' disease, differentiate it from other causes of hyperthyroidism, and assess the risk of neonatal thyrotoxicosis.
The Anti-Thyroglobulin Antibody and Thyroid Peroxidase (Antithyroid Microsomal Antibody) tests measure antibodies against thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase, respectively. Elevated levels indicate autoimmune thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease, aiding in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders.
The Intact PTH (Parathyroid Hormone) test measures the level of parathyroid hormone in the blood, crucial for regulating calcium and phosphorus levels. It helps diagnose conditions like hyperparathyroidism and assess parathyroid function, with normal values typically ranging from 10 to 65 pg/mL.
The ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) test measures the level of ACTH in the blood, which stimulates cortisol production in the adrenal glands. This test helps diagnose conditions like Cushing's disease and Addison's disease, assessing the function of the pituitary and adrenal glands.
The Human Growth Hormone (HGH) test measures growth hormone levels in the blood, diagnosing conditions like HGH deficiency in children and acromegaly in adults. It involves stimulating or suppressing HGH release and assessing levels over time, providing insight into pituitary function and growth regulation. Fasting may be required before testing.
The Free Testosterone test measures the level of unbound testosterone in the blood, providing insight into hormonal balance in both men and women. It helps diagnose conditions related to low or high testosterone levels, such as infertility, low libido, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
This test measures the level of renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. It is used to diagnose conditions like primary hyperaldosteronism and renovascular hypertension, helping guide treatment for high blood pressure and related disorders.
The Aldosterone test measures the level of aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates blood pressure and electrolyte balance. It helps diagnose conditions like primary hyperaldosteronism and adrenal insufficiency, often performed alongside a renin test for comprehensive evaluation of adrenal function.
The DHT (α-dihydrotestosterone) test measures the level of dihydrotestosterone in the blood, providing insights into androgen levels. It helps diagnose conditions like male pattern baldness, prostate disorders, and hirsutism in women, guiding treatment decisions related to hormonal imbalances and related health issues.
The Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) test measures IGF-1 levels in the blood, reflecting growth hormone activity. It aids in diagnosing growth disorders, including growth hormone deficiency and excess, and is essential for monitoring treatment in conditions like acromegaly and short stature in children.
General Nuclear Medicine Scintigraphy is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses small amounts of radioactive tracers to visualize organ function and structure. It helps detect diseases, including cancers and heart conditions, by producing images based on the distribution of the tracer in the body, providing critical functional information.
CNS testing under General Nuclear Medicine Scintigraphy utilizes radiotracers to assess brain function and blood flow. Techniques like HMPAO and DTPA scans help diagnose conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, and dementia by evaluating cerebral perfusion and metabolic activity.
This type of endocrine testing involves using radiotracers to evaluate hormone-producing glands. It aids in diagnosing conditions like thyroid disorders, adrenal tumors, and parathyroid hyperfunction by assessing gland function and hormone distribution within the body.
This type of respiratory testing involves lung ventilation and perfusion imaging using radiotracers. It aids in diagnosing pulmonary conditions, such as pulmonary embolism and chronic lung diseases, by assessing airflow and blood flow distribution in the lungs.
Gastrointestinal testing under General Nuclear Medicine Scintigraphy uses radiotracers to evaluate gastrointestinal bleeding, detect Meckel's diverticulum, and assess gastric emptying and intestinal transit time.
Genito-Urinary testing in nuclear medicine involves using radiotracers to assess the urinary and reproductive systems. It helps diagnose conditions like kidney dysfunction, urinary tract obstructions, and prostate issues by evaluating organ function and blood flow through imaging techniques.
The Department of Nuclear Medicine offers testing services that encompass a range of specialized procedures, including salivary gland scintigraphy, lymphoscintigraphy, and radionuclide cisternography. These tests aid in diagnosing various conditions by assessing organ function and detecting abnormalities through the use of radiotracers.
Skeletal testing, or bone scintigraphy, utilizes radiotracers to assess bone health. It helps diagnose conditions like fractures, infections, and cancers by highlighting areas of abnormal bone metabolism, providing critical insights into skeletal disorders.
The Medical City has acquired the first and only SPECT-CT or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography in the country.
The Symbia T16 TruePoint SPECT-CT is a revolutionary diagnostic modality that provides a more precise, more reliable, and earlier diagnosis, thus significantly improving the patient’s chance of being cured. It offers increased speed over the other Symbia systems.
This high technology nuclear medicine equipment can complete a full rotation in 0.5 seconds, yielding benefits for oncology screening in the Philippines when a large area must be covered in a short time. The system’s rapid scan time also makes it ideal for calcium scoring, providing detailed images of the coronary arteries in less than 20 seconds, irrespective of the heartbeat.
The test is done at the Department of Nuclear Medicine and is for the diagnosis and staging of persons with primary and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors bearing somatostatin receptors. Such tumors include any of the following:
This test determines if there is abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow within the brain and spinal canal termed hydrocephalus. It may also evaluate a suspected leak (also known as a CSF fistula) from the CSF cavity into the nasal cavity.
Dr. Angel M. De Guzman - Chief Consultant
Dr. Edward-Bengie L. Magsombol (Nuclear Cardiologist)
Dr. Christopher A.G. Carbonell
Dr. Eddie A. Lim
Dr. Michele D. Ogbac
Dr. Eduardo Erasto S. Ongkeko
Dr. Enrique Leonardo P. Ote
Nuclear Medicine
The Medical City’s Department of Nuclear Medicine is located on the Lower Ground, Podium Bldg.
Operating Hours:
8:00 AM -7:00 PM Monday to Friday
8:00 AM – 12:00 NN Saturday
OFF Sunday
Phone:
8-988-1000 / 8-988-7000 locals 6130 / 6131
Email:
Phone:
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