Nuclear Medicine Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear Medicine is a specialized branch of medical science that uses radioactive isotopes to diagnose and treat diseases. It has been used for more than 60 years, with incredible success in diagnosing and treating various types of cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. Nuclear medicine combines the use of radiation-emitting isotopes with imaging technology to create powerful diagnostic tools. It can detect abnormalities at an earlier stage than other imaging techniques such as X-rays or CT scans and offers greater accuracy in diagnosing many conditions.The most common type of nuclear medicine procedure is called positron emission tomography (PET). PET scans are used to detect changes in the body from cancerous tumors before they can be seen on other imaging tests like x-ray or ultrasound scans. Radioactive tracers are injected into the patient’s bloodstream which then travel through the body and concentrate in areas where cells are functioning abnormally; these areas show up as hot spots on the scan image. PET scanners can also measure blood flow throughout the body, enabling physicians to detect blockages that may cause cardiovascular disease or stroke. In addition to diagnosis, nuclear medicine is also often used for treating certain conditions such as thyroid cancer, bone metastases from certain cancers (i.e., breast cancer), and hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease. In medical therapy with radiopharmaceuticals (or radionuclide therapy), radioactive isotopes are injected directly into patients’ bodies so that their radiation will target specific tissues or organs; this helps destroy abnormal cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue surrounding them. Nuclear medicine has revolutionized healthcare delivery by providing doctors with invaluable information about their patients’ health quickly and accurately without invasive procedures like surgery or biopsies. Its ability to detect small abnormalities early allows for timely treatment which can lead to improved outcomes for many conditions especially cancers when caught early enough. As imaging technology continues advancing alongside further developments in nuclear medicines, it is poised to become even more integral part of modern healthcare delivery in days ahead.