What is Nuclear Medicine

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Nuclear medicine is a branch of medicine for diagnosis and treatment of disease wherein radioactive materials, known as radionuclides or radioactive isotopes are used. Depending on the patient’s condition, the radioactive materials used vary. But in all cases the materials have short half-lives that decay very rapidly in the body which reduce the radiation damage potential. Radioactive isotopes can still be dangerous, and procedures in nuclear medicine are performed with care to minimize the risk to the patient and his or her care providers. There are three basic components to the imaging techniques used in nuclear medicine: radioactive substances, detectors (cameras) and computers. Radioactive isotopes can be used in medical imaging in the form of a contrast or tracer material which is injected or swallowed by the patient. The isotope moves through the body that emits radiation which can be picked up with a special camera, revealing information about the

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Nuclear Medicine: Diagnostic Procedures

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Nuclear medicine is a specialty of medicine that uses radionuclides; compounds and elements that emit radiation in the form of subatomic particles or gamma rays. Different agents are useful in different medical technologies, depending on the characteristic and type of emission of the radionuclide, can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The introduction of radionuclides to the body are done by ingestion, injection, or by other means in diagnostic nuclear medicine. Special sensors detect gamma radiation that is produced directly by the radionuclides or indirectly as a result of their presence. Data are then processed to produce an image. Several diagnostic scans are named based on the radionuclide that is introduced into the body. A gallium scan uses gallium-67. It is a useful diagnostic tool to assess infections. During the late 20th century, it was used to assess cancer staging. An indium white scan uses indium-111 attached to

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Jobs in Nuclear Medicine

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Disease or illness can be identified through the use of diagnostic imaging. Nuclear medicine uses advanced technology more advanced than the standard X-ray. Diagnostic machines in nuclear medicine utilize radionuclides to identify differences in the metabolic structure of internal organs. This helps to isolate and identify areas of disease. There are different types of work available in nuclear medicine. Some work in research — developing new types of nuclear medicine equipment and materials — while others work in diagnostic medicine, working directly with patients to help diagnose and treat disease. People employed in nuclear medicine are usually expected to have knowledge of medicine, chemistry, physics and sometimes computer programming. A crucial role is played by nuclear medicine physicians in rendering diagnoses from nuclear medicine imaging results. They provide intelligent analytical and scientific perspectives on the level and condition of the disease. They have limited contact with patients and also assist

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