Nuclear medicine is a form or medical imaging where we take drugs that we know what they do in the body, and attach a radioactive atom to each of the molecules so that as the drugs is being used by the body, we can image it with special cameras called gamma cameras. We also do some forms of therapy for thyroid disorders, liver tumors, and bone pain palliation. I hope that's a good enough answer for this general question, but if more is needed, just let me know.
In Nuclear Medicine imaging, radiopharmaceuticals are taken internally, for example intravenously or orally. Then, external detectors (gamma cameras) capture and form images from the radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceuticals. This process is unlike a diagnostic X-ray where external radiation is passed through the body to form an image. Nuclear medicine imaging may also be referred to as radionuclide imaging or nuclear scintigraphy.
Nuclear medicine tests differ from most other imaging modalities in that diagnostic tests primarily show the physiological function of the system being investigated as opposed to traditional anatomical imaging such as CT or MRI. Nuclear Medicine imaging studies are generally more organ or tissue specific (e.g.: lungs scan, heart scan, bone scan, brain scan, etc.) than those in conventional radiology imaging, which focus on a particular section of the body (e.g.: chest X-ray, abdomen/pelvis CT scan, head CT scan, etc.). In addition, there are nuclear medicine studies that allow imaging of the whole body based on certain cellular receptors or functions. Examples are whole body PET or PET/CT scans, Gallium scans, white blood cell scans, MIBG and Octreotide scans.In Nuclear Medicine therapy, the radiation treatment dose is also administered internally (e.g. intravenous or oral routes) rather from an external radiation source.
Molecular MedicineIn the future, Nuclear Medicine may be known as Molecular Medicine. As our understanding of biological processes in the cells of living organism expands, specific probes can be developed to allow visualization, characterization, and quantification of biologic processes at the cellular and subcellular levels. Nuclear Medicine is an ideal specialty to adapt to the new discipline of molecular medicine, because of its emphasis on function and its utilization of imaging agents that are specific for a particular disease process.
Leonard M. Freeman has written: 'Nuclear Medicine Annual 1999 (Nuclear Medicine Annual)' 'Nuclear Medicine Annual 1995 (Nuclear Medicine Annual)' 'Nuclear Medicine Annual, 1991' 'Nuclear Medicine Annual, 1983' 'Radionuclide studies in evaluation of trauma' -- subject(s): Radioisotopes in medical diagnosis, Traumatology 'Nuclear Medicine Annual, 1990 (Nuclear Medicine Annual)' 'Nuclear Medicine Annual 1996 (Nuclear Medicine Annual)' 'Nuclear Medicine Annual, 1993' 'Nuclear Medicine Annual, 1982'
Radiologists work with these.
qualified nuclear medicine physicians with certification from Eu board of nuclear medicine or equivilen.
radiologic technologist studies the nuclear medicine == ==
Thorium is not used in nuclear medicine.
Radiographers and radiologists, and scientists.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics online discusses what a Nuclear Medicine Technician does. They discuss the work environment, how to become a Nuclear Medicine Technician, the pay and the job outlook. There is more information at Explore Health Careers which includes a video.
Michael S. Feld has written: 'History of nuclear medicine in Europe' -- subject(s): History, History of Medicine, 20th Cent, Nuclear medicine, Nuclear medicine physicians 'Geschichte der Nuklearmedizin in Europa' -- subject(s): History, Nuclear medicine, Nuclear medicine physicians
The budget of Society of Nuclear Medicine is 10,800,000 dollars.
Society of Nuclear Medicine's motto is 'Advancing Molecular Imaging and Therapy'.
Gamma rays are a type of radiation. Nuclear medicine techniques work through the detection of this kind of radiation injected into the body by adding a radioisotope to a certain drug.
The average annual salary for a nuclear medicine technologist in the United States is $72,000. The average annual salary for a nuclear medicine technologist supervisor is $106,000.