Scintigraphy

Scintigraphy is a diagnostic test in nuclear medicine, where radioisotopes attached to drugs that travel to a specific organ or tissue (radiopharmaceuticals) are taken internally, and the emitted gamma rays are captured by external detectors (gamma cameras) to form images. Scintigraphy is unlike a diagnostic X-ray where external radiation is passed through the body to form an image.

Procedure

The procedure begins with the patient ingesting, inhaling, or being injected with a radiopharmaceutical. The radiopharmaceutical then travels through the body and accumulates in specific organs or cellular receptors. This accumulation of radiopharmaceuticals can be immediate or can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the type of study and the body organ involved. Once the radiopharmaceuticals have accumulated in the body tissue, the gamma camera captures and forms images from the radiation emitted by them.

Applications

Scintigraphy is used to diagnose, stage, and monitor the progression of various diseases and conditions. It is commonly used in cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, and endocrinology. Some of the specific tests include bone scan, lung scan, heart scan, thyroid scan, and gallium scan.

Risks

While scintigraphy is generally safe, there are some risks associated with the procedure. These include allergic reactions to the radiopharmaceuticals, radiation exposure, and potential harm to the fetus in pregnant women.

See also

• Nuclear medicine
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Gamma camera
• Bone scan
• Lung scan
• Heart scan
• Thyroid scan
• Gallium scan

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