Imaging In Inflammatory Disorders

Question 1

What are some forms of molecular imaging?

Answer 1

Radionuclide imaging

Positron emission tomography

Question 2

How does radionuclide imaging work?

Answer 2

Give a patient a radiopharmaceutical to measure the gamma rays that come off them to form an image. The lead collimator makes sure only the gamma rays that go straight are measured.
Gamma rays have a higher energy and frequency than X-rays.

Question 3

What is a radiopharmaceutical?

Answer 3

It has a radioactive element (isotope)and a pharmaceutical element (ligand).

Question 4

What are some properties of an ideal isotope?

Answer 4

It should have a half life similar to the length of examination.
It should be a gamma emitter.
It should easily bind to a Pharmaceutical component.
Technecium is an ideal isotope. It can be used with hydroxy-diphosphonate to image bone (appears black for increased osteoblast activity).

Question 5

What things can affect the image quality?

Answer 5

Radiation doses
Collimator
Metal objects
Proximity of area of interest to camera

Question 6

What radiopharmaceutical is used to detect WBC and why is it useful?

Answer 6

TCHMPAO white cell Scan can tell where white blood cells are in the body. It can be used to detect monitor disease such as Crohn‘s disease.

Question 7

What radiopharmaceutical is used to see kidneys?

Answer 7

TcMAG 3 radionuclide renogram is used to show kidney function and drainage.

Question 8

What is SPECT?

Answer 8

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography. Gamma cameras rotate around area of interest. It is routinely used for cardiac and brain studies.

Question 9

What is useful in spect scans for Parkinson’s?

Answer 9

123-Iodine Dopamine can be used to see progression of Parkinson’s.

Question 10

What scan can be used to see myocardium instead of a treadmill test?

Answer 10

Myocardial perfusion SPECT which is an adenosine stress test.

Question 11

What is Positron Emission Tomography?

Answer 11

Molecular imaging that uses radionuclides that decay by positron emission

Question 12

What are some PET radionuclides and their half lives?

Answer 12

F18 has 110 minutes
C11 has 20 minutes
N13 has 10 minutes
O15 has 2 minutes

Question 13

Where does FDG get taken up in the body?

Answer 13

Brain
Myocardium
Stomach
Liver
Spleen
Colon
Urinary Tract