The Role Of Imaging In Nuclear Medicine

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Nuclear medicine is used by physicians all over the world, pre-dating Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Ultrasound technology. Tests are conducted using pharmaceuticals in conjunction with specific mechanical imaging, allowing optimal diagnosis for various conditions. Nuclear medicine allows doctors to see inside the body in ways that X-ray, CT, and MRI alone cannot, providing the most accurate way to study and diagnose specific abnormalities within the body’s elements, making nuclear medicine one of the most valuable modality radiology has to offer. Nuclear medicine brings a unique aspect to the field of radiology. Radiologists use X-ray, MRI, and CT to detect the anatomical aspect of diagnosing conditions, …show more content…
This technology, because of the non-radiation aspect of the MRI , offers lower exposure to radiation than the PET/CT combination . PET/MRI scans offer the soft tissue contrast and permeability capability of the MRI, along with the molecular information generally provided from a PET scan, widening the potential opportunity of discovering the cause, effect, and development of many different types of diseases. Furthermore, because the PET/MRI scans are taken simultaneously, the patient does not need to be repositioned at any time, resulting in the most accurate and detailed image available to …show more content…
Radiologyinfo.org (2016) describes radiation therapy as “the use of high-energy particles or waves, such as x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, and protons to destroy cancer cells.” There are several different types of nuclear therapy such as image-guided radiation therapy, external radiation therapy, radioimmunotherapy, radioactive iodine, and cancer radiation therapy. Image-guided radiation therapy consists of a technologist using a specific type of imaging technology to help direct the radioactive substance to the desired area of treatment. External radiation therapy consists of a beam of high energy x-rays to destroy a tumor while only exposing a small area of the body. Radioimmunotherapy utilizes radiation and immunotherapy to imitate the body’s natural mechanisms to fight against foreign substances. Radioactive iodine therapy is primarily used to treat abnormalities pertaining to the thyroid. Radioactive iodine is given in the form of a pill or is mixed with a fluid substance. Cancer radiation therapy targets cancer cells and destroys the cell’s DNA, stopping the cell from expanding and

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