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Imaging Cameras
PET/CT SPECT/CT SPECT
Many patients who suffer from claustrophobia tend to do quite well in the Nuclear Medicine department, since the cameras are open on the sides. All of the cameras are touch sensitive, therefore, when touched, the camera will stop moving. The cameras also use laser detection to find patients’ body contour, to ensure patient safety.
The PET/CT Scanner is used for Oncology PET/CT scans (link) as well as Rubidium Stress Testing. (link) The scanner is the same size as a regular CT scanner.
For Oncology PET/CT scanning, the patient’s doctor will prescribe a light sedative, such as Xanax or Ativan for muscle relaxation; this aids in more accurate tracer uptake and also helps alleviate claustrophobia.
What is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear Medicine imaging is unique in that it demonstrates organ function and structure, in contrast to diagnostic radiology which is based upon anatomy.
Nuclear medicine uses very small amounts of radioactive materials, or radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose and treat disease.
Radiopharmaceuticals are substances that are attracted to specific organs, bones, or tissues. When radiopharmaceuticals are introduced into the body, they produce emissions called gamma rays. A special type of camera is used to transform these emissions into images.
As an integral part of patient care, Nuclear Medicine is used in the diagnosis, management, treatment and prevention of serious disease. Nuclear medicine imaging procedures often identify abnormalities very early in the progression of a disease - long before some medical problems are apparent with other diagnostic tests. This early detection allows a disease to be treated early in its course when there may be a more successful prognosis.
Although Nuclear Medicine is commonly used for diagnostic purposes, it also provides valuable therapeutic applications such as treatment of hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, blood imbalances and pain relief from certain types of bone cancers.
As
an integral part of patient care, nuclear medicine is used in
the diagnosis, management, treatment and prevention of serious
disease. Nuclear medicine imaging procedures often identify
abnormalities very early in the progression of a disease - long
before some medical problems are apparent with other diagnostic
tests. This early detection allows a disease to be treated early
in its course when there may be a more successful prognosis.
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Nuclear medicine
uses very small amounts of radioactive materials, or radiopharmaceuticals,
to diagnose and treat disease.
Radiopharmaceuticals
are substances that are attracted to specific organs, bones, or
tissues. When radiopharmaceuticals are introduced into the body,
they produce emissions. A special type of camera, a gamma or PET
camera, is used to transform these emissions into images and data
which provide information about the area of the body being imaged.
Although Nuclear
Medicine is commonly used for diagnostic purposes, it also provides
valuable therapeutic applications such as treatment of hyperthyroidism,
thyroid cancer, blood imbalances and pain relief from certain types
of bone cancers.
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