In nuclear medicine imaging, a very small source of radioactivity is given to the patient either by mouth or by vein and the gamma rays emitted are measured by a special device called a gamma camera and the data is stored in a computer. The data in the computer is used to generate an image or provide other functional information. The source of radioactivity is in the form of a radiopharmaceutical which travels to an intended organ of interest. A tremendous amount of research has gone into the development of these radiopharmaceuticals. A diphosphonate derivative images bone, while a compound called MIBI images the heart, and still another known as MAG-3 is specific for the kidney.
Nuclear medicine provides an extremely sensitive methodology or detecting abnormalities.
In the future, we will have radiopharmaceuticals that can detect specific cancers and even treat them effectively. The bone-scanning agent is given and a quick image may be taken and the patient returns three hours later for the complete scan which takes one to one and a half hour to finish. Special instructions are given for this study. The patient remains in the department for up to five hours. Demonstrates blood clots or embolism in the lung.