Embedded Files
Welcome to my E-PORTFOLIO!
Welcome to my E-PORTFOLIO!
My name is Alexander Ramos. I am a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in South Florida who loves to meet new patients daily while making a difference in my department. I am learning everyday and not afraid to step out of my comfort zone to continue learning. My main goal is to make a memorable experience for each patient while making a REAL connection with them to demonstrate my empathy for their recent diagnosis (good or bad). Below are some examples of images that can be produced on the PET/CT scanner and nuclear medicine gamma camera I use at work.
Nuclear Medicine Imaging
Nuclear Medicine Imaging
Nuclear imaging is a diagnostic technique that uses radioisotopes that emit gamma rays from within the body.
How is nuclear imaging different to other imaging systems?
There is a significant difference between nuclear imaging and other medical imaging systems such as CT (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or X-rays.
The main difference between nuclear imaging and other imaging systems is that, in nuclear imaging, the source of the emitted radiation is within the body. Nuclear imaging shows the position and concentration of the radioisotope. If very little of the radioisotope has been taken up a ‘cold spot’ will show on the screen indicating, perhaps, that blood is not getting through. A ‘hot spot’ on the other hand may indicate excess radioactivity uptake in the tissue or organ that may be due to a diseased state, such as an infection or cancer. Both bone and soft tissue can be imaged successfully with this system.
How does nuclear imaging work?
A radiopharmaceutical is given orally, injected or inhaled, and is detected by a gamma camera which is used to create a computer-enhanced image that can be viewed by the physician.
Nuclear imaging measures the function of a part of the body (by measuring blood flow, distribution or accumulation of the radioisotope), and does not provide highly-resolved anatomical images of body structures.
What can nuclear medicine imaging tell us?
The information obtained by nuclear imaging tells an experienced physician much about how a given part of a person’s body is functioning. By using nuclear imaging to obtain a bone scan, for example, physicians can detect the presence of secondary cancer ‘spread’ up to two years ahead of a standard X-ray. It highlights the almost microscopic remodeling attempts of the skeleton as it fights the invading cancer cells.
A PET/CT scan is a combination of a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan and a CT (Computed Tomography) scan.
A PET scan uses a radiotracer (a special contrast agent), injected through your vein, to show the metabolic activity (physiology) within your cells.
A CT scan uses X-ray radiation to provide thorough images of the structures inside your body (anatomy).
By combining both of these exams, the technology creates an incredibly detailed and informative study by showing both your anatomy and physiology. This determines the exact location and degree of abnormal uptake in the body. Many times a PET/CT can identify the disease, even at its early stages before other imaging exams.
PET/CT scan example
Metastasis is the most common (95%) of liver lesions. Early diagnosis and staging are the keys to treatment planning and prognosis. There is a consistent benefit to the use of PET/CT for detecting hepatic, local, and distant metastases from a variety of primary malignancies, which can contribute to staging and ultimately helps to establish the best course of treatment and to determine prognosis.
Nuclear Medicine Stress Tests ( Cardiology)
Nuclear Medicine Stress Tests ( Cardiology)
A nuclear stress test uses radioactive dye and an imaging machine to create pictures showing the blood flow to your heart. The test measures blood flow while you are at rest and are exerting yourself, showing areas with poor blood flow or damage in your heart.
The test usually involves injecting radioactive dye, then taking two sets of images of your heart — one while you're at rest and another after exertion.
The Cameras
The Cameras
Many different types of gamma cameras can perform nuclear stress test imaging. The cameras come in all shapes and sizes and have different benefits in terms of image quality, image acquisition time, and patient comfort. The most common gamma (SPECT) cameras will be similar to the following:
Page updated
Report abuse