PA Anatomy: Imaging Overview-Nuc Med

Nuclear medicine involves injection of a radio-active tracer into the body with imaging using detectors which are brought close to the outside of the body to produce an image based on where radiation is found; many different tracers have been designed to show both normal and abnormal processes in different systems of the body; tracers can also be used to quantitate various physiological processes, such as cardiac function; some tracers are very specific (home in on one system or one organ) while others are more general (detect inflammation or rapid cell growth anywhere in the body)

1) recognize each type of imaging and physical property--may be either an overall image of the body, with overlap of structures, OR a section of the body (called SPECT imaging); images tend to be grainy and lack anatomic detail; physical property is biochemical accumulation of the particular tracer within an organ

2) radiation--uses ionizing radiation, at a moderate dose; actual dose to different organs varies depending on where the tracer is accumulated within the body

3) technical factors are related to what tracer was used, as well as where the detector was located relative to the body, such as closest to the front vs the back

4) WHITE areas are called 'high uptake' or 'hot' and BLACK areas are called 'low uptake' or 'cold'

5) types of disease that are best displayed: bone turnover, biliary system, thyroid function, heart function, pulmonary circulation, lung function, tumors and inflammation

6) types of disease that are not well demonstrated: fine detail of any anatomic area