Nuclear Medicine
What is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical procedures that involves the use of radioactive and radiopharmaceutical substances to visualize and treat many diseases. Nuclear medicine specialists oversee imaging procedures performed by nuclear medicine technologists using advanced technological devices. A variety of imaging tests are performed using various imaging devices. These state-of-the-art devices are vital in diagnosing and treating diseases due to their ability to provide guidance. In particular, images taken by the nuclear medicine department are of great importance in the early diagnosis, staging, and treatment of cancer.
The quality of these advanced technology devices used in the nuclear medicine unit is as important as the expertise and skills of the specialists and technicians who use them. Since the substances used are radioactive, experience and equipment are critical for both occupational and patient safety. Additionally, obtaining good results contributes positively to the diagnostic and treatment processes.
The nuclear medicine department has many types of advanced imaging devices, such as SPECT, PET, CT, and MRI. These devices have high imaging capabilities based on their usage and location. All of these imaging and reporting procedures are performed under the responsibility of nuclear medicine specialists within the field of nuclear medicine.
The nuclear medicine unit consists of nuclear medicine doctors who have received specialized training in nuclear medicine, as well as nuclear medicine technologists, nurses, and support staff.
What diseases does the Nuclear Medicine Unit look at?
Nuclear medicine plays a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of almost all branches of medicine within its own field. It provides extensive information about the functioning of organs through three-dimensional gamma cameras. Based on these images, the doctor who follows the patient in the relevant area creates a plan for the treatment or surgery. A healthy and high-quality image is lifesaving. The Nuclear Medicine Unit plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.
• Endocrinology (such as goiter, salivary glands)
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Nervous system diseases
• Circulatory system diseases
• Respiratory system diseases
• Skeletal and bone diseases
• Urology; Kidney, bladder, prostate, testicles
• Stomach, intestines, gallbladder
• Neurology; Nerve damage, vascular occlusion, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Stroke
• Cancer; Especially for cancer patients and in the fight against this disease, they are actively guiding with the quality and image of PET/CT scans.
People who will receive this service often express concerns about exposure to high radiation due to the radioactive substances used in the imaging devices in the nuclear medicine department. However, the amount of radiation emitted by these devices is not significantly different from that of other imaging devices. The radioactive substances given to the body through the vein to ensure image quality are completely excreted from the body through urine and feces within 6-12 hours.
