nuclear medicine basics

Radiographic, ultrasonographic, and MR studies provide high spatial resolution and important anatomic or structural information from which pathologic processes are inferred.

On the other hand, nuclear medicine studies provide high functional resolution and provide physiologic and functional information not otherwise available.

Anatomic imaging can measure the dimensions of a spot, but functional imaging can show whether it is active and whether it is malignant.

Imaging Principles

The concept of nuclear imaging is based on the external detection and mapping (image formation) of the biodistribution of radiotracers that have been administered to a patient. The knowledge of the normal patterns of uptake, distribution, and excretion permits us to make decisions concerning the presence or absence of disease.

tumor of minor salivary glands

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