Nuclear medicine is the use of radioactive materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In nuclear medicine departments, function imaging is performed in diseases related to almost every organ system. The diagnostic tests performed are scintigraphic imaging of the thyroid, bone, heart, kidney and many other organs and diseases, and at the same time, some tumors and inflammatory diseases, especially thyroid diseases, are treated.
USAGE AREAS OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE
HEART APPLICATIONS
- Diagnosis of coronary artery diseases
- Evaluation of by-pass surgery and stent implantation
- To investigate the cause of the disease in some hypertension patients
- Follow-up of patients in kidney transplantations
NEUROLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
- Diagnosis of stroke in some stroke diseases
- In the diagnosis of dementia
- For the evaluation of brain and neck vascular surgeries
- In epilepsy (scar) patients scheduled for surgery
ONCOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
- Showing the location of some tumors
- Staging of tumors
- Evaluation of whether tumors have spread
- Treatment of pain in cancerous bones
ORTHOPEDIC APPLICATIONS
- Showing hidden fractures
- Bone infections
KIDNEY APPLICATIONS
- Demonstrating obstructions in the urinary tract
- Investigating whether there is urine leakage to the kidneys
- Investigation of kidney infections
LUNG APPLICATIONS
- Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
- Residual tissue evaluation before lung surgeries and transplants
OTHER APPLICATIONS
- goiter diseases
- Various esophageal and stomach diseases
- Gallbladder diseases
- bowel bleeding
- suspected occult infection
- Examination of lymphatic pathways
- Examination of tear ducts
- Examination of the functions of the salivary glands
- Imaging of different tumors with various radiopharmaceuticals
- Investigation of hidden infections in the body
ARE RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES USED IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE HARMFUL?
Radioactive materials to be used do not have side effects such as allergies. It can be used safely even in kidney failure. However, if exertion is to be given with medication instead of exercise, non-serious side effects such as palpitations, headaches, and dizziness may occur, just like when we exercise. Complaints can be relieved with another drug to be administered. Since the amount of radioactive substances given is very small and they are quickly removed from the body, there is no serious harm to you and those around you. However, since the given activity stays in the body for about 24 hours, we ask you to stay 2 meters away from children and pregnant women under the age of 12.
In our hospital; applications related to heart, lung and goiter diseases are carried out. In our department, there are general-purpose double-headed and double-headed SPECT devices specially produced for heart extraction. Heart scintigraphy is performed in 14 minutes in a general purpose device and in 8 minutes in a special device. All of the devices used in nuclear medicine do not emit radiation as they function like cameras that photograph gamma rays.
OUR SUGGESTIONS TO PATIENTS COMING TO THE SHOOT
Bring a small pack of milk, a mayonnaise sandwich and, if you’re not diabetic, a small pack of chocolates when you come to the shoot. You must be hungry for 4 hours. Please do not stay hungry from the previous evening, as our preparation for the shooting can take a long time, the fasting period may be longer. Do not drink caffeine-containing beverages such as tea, coffee and cola the day before and on the shooting day. Bring your previous examinations and films with you, because we also use your previous examinations when evaluating your images.
Nuclear Medicine Specialist . Dr. Ozden Savas Den Hartigh
Source: Health Actual
