When using a CAT Scan or MRI simply isn’t enough to properly diagnose a disease or condition, imaging techniques from the field of nuclear medicine can often fill in the gaps. Here are some of the basics about how nuclear medicine imaging works along with its many benefits.
Why nuclear imaging?
In a nutshell: unlike traditional imaging techniques such as an X-ray and its more sophisticated counterparts that take pictures of the body from the outside in, nuclear imaging relays information from the inside out. It is used when doctors need to determine what the cells within a potentially diseased organs are doing, the determination of which is beyond the capacities of X-rays et al. Nuclear imaging, then, is most often used in diagnosing issues related to organs or tissues such as the lungs, brain, heart, and bones.
How does it work?
The concept is simple enough: low levels of specialized radioactive materials are administered to a patient. The reaction of these materials with the organ in question are traced from the outside through the use of nuclear medicine imaging equipment that is able to detect the changes in the organ created by the presence of the radioactive materials. These materials become “tracers,” and their interactions with the organ in question greatly help doctors to know what is going on at the cellular rather than simply at the physiological level.
Is it safe?
Only the lowest possible levels of radioactive materials are injected or otherwise administered during the use of nuclear medicine imaging. The amount of radioactive properties necessary for proper diagnosis depends on the area of the body or the organ which is being scanned.
This highly specialized field is constantly evolving, but nuclear medicine imaging has proven time and time again to be a lifesaving procedure for thousands of patients.
BC Technical ( http://www.bctechnical.com/ ) is the number one independent provider of the gamma cameras, service, support and parts for new and refurbished nuclear medicine equipment. Ryan Coisson is a freelance writer.