Imaging and Non-Imaging protocols and processing

All procedures and protocols for imaging in Nuclear Medicine have been approved by the Consultant Clinical Scientist and Medical Physics Expert in conjunction with the Nuclear Medicine Consultant. The Nuclear Medicine Physics team is also involved in the evaluation of image processing software and in creating protocols for routine image processing, for example

Thyroid Imaging and Uptake

Patients are injected with a radioactive substance, Tc-99m pertechnetate that localises in the thyroid. Image processing software is used to calculate the percentage uptake in the thyroid and provide quantitative information that can assist and diagnose the state of thyroid function, ie. Normal or hyperthyroid.

Tomographic Imaging

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are three-dimensional imaging techniques where are acquired data from many angles around the patient. he data are reconstructed to produce images in three-dimensions. Nuclear Medicine Physics is involved in the set up of image processing protocols for SPECT and PET imaging and in testing the acquisition and processing of data.

E.g. cardiac gated SPECT to investigate the motion of the left ventricular walls, and to measure the left ventricular ejection fraction.

Patient images of left ventricle and the inner wall at end-systole and end-diastole. The circular plots show the perfusion and motion of the myocardium at end-systole and end-diastole.