answersLogoWhite

0

What is a radiotracer?

Updated: 12/23/2022
User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Want this question answered?

Be notified when an answer is posted

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is a radiotracer?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is physiologic distribution of radiotracer in a petscan?

Physiologic distribution of radiotracer in a pet scan is the normal functional distribution of the radiotracer. The radiotracer is radioactive tracer or radioactive chemical that is used during a pet scan to produce 3-dimensional, color images of the part of the body that is being scanned.


Can you get disability for radiotracer uptake of the skeletal system?

You can't get disability for radiotracer uptake if the amount is calculated properly and if you drink good amounts of water after the medical analysis.


How is the radiotracer used to treat thyroid disorder?

This is the iodine isotope 131I.


What is a radiopharmaceutical?

A kit is a vial that contains all the non-radioactive components necessary for formation of a radiometal complex in high yield upon the addition of the radiotracer


What is a radiopharmaceutical kit?

A kit is a vial that contains all the non-radioactive components necessary for formation of a radiometal complex in high yield upon the addition of the radiotracer


What does Decreased radiotracer intensity noted in the inferior wall on both rest and stress images apears to be due to deifferential soft tessue attenuation artifact mean?

A tissue is made up of lot of cells all adapted for a particular function.


How are tacers used to help with medical diagnosis?

A radioactive isotope which, when attached to a chemically similar substance or injected into a biological or physical system, can be traced by radiation detection devices, permitting determination of the distribution or location of the substance to which it is attached. Also known as radiotracer.


What does radiotracer uptake mean?

There are several sites of 'increased radio tracer uptake... These are most intense in the low thoracic & lumbar spine, associated with the scoliotic curvature and degenerative change, likely explanatory in that regard... Minor asymmetry with respect to the uptake seen in bone of the anterior ... & seen in some of the left rib functions ,,,,with costochondral cartilage ...uncertain whether this relates to the positioning created by the scoliosis. ...There is a small focus of increased uptake in the mid cervical spine to left of midline, likely degenerative. ...There is uptake at both wrists and to lesser extent, both shoulders. ...that distribution likely degenerative related. ...There is a tiny focus in a toe of the right foot, nonspecific. ...Elsewhere, radiotracer uptake appears physiologic. IMPRESSION: Multiple sites of increased radiotracer uptake, as described. This distribution is either characteristic degenerative change to include especially the lumbar spine. Nonspecific focus in a right toe. Otherwise, none of these sites would be considered especially suspicious for metastasis.


Bone scan?

DefinitionA bone scan is an imaging test that shows areas of increased or decreased bone turnover (metabolism).Alternative NamesScintigraphy - boneHow the test is performedA bone scan involves injecting a radioactive material (radiotracer) into a vein. The substance travels through the bloodstream to the bones and organs. As it wears away, it gives off radiation. This radiation is detected by a camera that slowly scans your body. The camera takes pictures of how much radiotracer collects in the bones.If a bone scan is done to see if you have a bone infection, images may be taken shortly after the radioactive material is injected and again 3 to 4 hours later, when it has collected in the bones. This is called a 3-phase bone scan.To evaluate metastatic bone disease, images are taken only after the 3 to 4 hour delay.The scanning part of the test will last about 1 hour. The scanner's camera may move above and around you. You may need to change positions.You will probably be asked to drink extra water after you receive the radiotracer to keep the material from collecting in your bladder.How to prepare for the testYou must remove jewelry and other metal objects. You may be asked to wear a hospital gown.Tell your doctor if you are or may be pregnant.Do not take any medicine with bismuth in it, such as Pepto-Bismol, for 4 days before the test.How the test will feelThere is a small amount of pain when the needle is inserted. During the scan there is no pain. You must remain still during the examination, and you will be instructed when to change positions by the technologist.You may experience some discomfort due to lying still for a prolonged period of time.Why the test is performedA bone scan is used to:Diagnose a bone tumor or cancerDetermine if a cancer that began elsewhere in your body has spread to the bones; Common cancers that spread to the bones include breast, lung, prostate, thyroid, and kidney.Diagnose a fracture, when it cannot be seen on a regular x-ray (most commonly hip fractures, stress fractures in the feet or legs, or spine fractures)Diagnose a bone infection (osteomyelitis)Diagnose or determine the cause of bone pain, when no other cause has been identifiedEvaluate metabolic disorders, such as osteomalacia, renal osteodystrophy, primary hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, complex regional pain syndrome, and Paget's diseaseNormal ValuesTest results are considered normal if the radiotracer moves evenly throughout all the bones in your body.What abnormal results meanThe images should show that the radioactive material has been evenly distributed throughout the body. There should be no areas of increased or decreased distribution. "Hot spots" are areas where there is an increased accumulation of the radioactive material. "Cold spots" are areas that have taken up less of the radioactive material.What the risks areIf you are pregnant or nursing, the test may be postponed to prevent exposing the developing baby to radiation. If you must have the test while breastfeeding, you should pump and throw away the breast milk for the next 2 days.The amount of radiation injected into your vein is very small, and nearly all radiation is gone from the body within 2 - 3 days. The radiotracer that is used exposes you to a very small amount of radiation. The risk is probably no greater than with routine or conventional x-rays.Risks related to the bone radiotracer are rare, but may include:Anaphylaxis(severe allergic response)RashSwellingThere is a slight risk of infection or bleeding when the needle is inserted into a vein.Special considerationsSome abnormalities that may be identified on radionuclide bone scans include:Arthritis and other degenerative diseases of the bonesAvascular necrosisBone infections (osteomyelitis)Bone tumorsFibrous dysplasiaFracturesPaget's diseaseRadiation changesRicketsTumors that have spread from other parts of the body to the bone (metastatic disease)It is important to understand that bone scan findings must be compared with other imaging studies, in addition to clinical information. You should always discuss the significance of abnormal findings with your health care provider.ReferencesRobert E. Coleman, Ingunn Holen, Bone metastases. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG, eds. Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 57Baker LH. Bone tumors: primary and metastatic bone lesions. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 212.


When would you use technetium in a nuclear medicine thyroid scan?

If I-123 was not available and that is the only reason ever. Some places use Tc99m because it is cheaper and faster than I-123. But i-123 was developed because it was and is better than straight Tc99m


What is Sodium-24 used for?

Its used to study electrolytes within the body It is a radioactive isotope that is used to trace natural sodium within your body. It has a half life of 15 hours and emits beta and gamma rays.


What industrial items contain copper?

Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with an excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. Copper is rather supple in its pure state and (when fresh) has a pinkish or peachy color, which (besides gold) is unusual for metals, which are usually silvery or grayish. It is used as a thermal conductor, an electrical conductor, a building material, and a constituent of various metal alloys.Copper is an essential trace nutrient to all high plant and animal life. In animals, including humans, it is found primarily in the bloodstream, as a co-factor in various enzymes and in copper-based pigments. However, in sufficient amounts, copper can be poisonous and even fatal to organisms. Copper can be found in all those below:-Electromagnets.Printed circuit boards.Lead free solder, alloyed with tin.Electrical machines, especially electromagnetic motors, generators and transformers.Electrical relays, electrical busbars and electrical switches.Vacuum tubes, cathode ray tubes, and the magnetrons in microwave ovens.Wave guides for microwave radiation.Integrated circuits, increasingly replacing aluminum because of its superior electrical conductivity.As a material in the manufacture of computer heat sinks, as a result of its superior heat dissipation capacity to aluminum.Copper has been used as water-proof roofing material since ancient times, giving many old buildings their greenish roofs and domes. Initially copper oxide forms, replaced by cuprous and cupric sulfide, and finally by copper carbonate. The final carbonate patina is highly resistant to corrosion.Alloyed with nickel, e.g. cupronickel and Monel, used as corrosive assistant materials in shipbuilding.Watt's steam engine firebox due to superior heat dissipation.Copper nails were used in making oast cowls.Copper compounds are used as wood preservatives.Copper compounds in liquid form are used as a wood preservative, particularly in treating original portion of structures during restoration of damage due to dry rot.Copper wires may be placed over non-conductive roofing materials to discourage the growth of moss. (Zinc may also be used for this purpose.) Copper plumbing fittings and compression tubes.Doorknobs and other fixtures in houses.Roofing, guttering, and rainspouts on buildings.In cookware, such as frying pans.Most flatware (knives, forks, spoons) contains some copper (nickel silver).Sterling silver, if it is to be used in dinnerware, must contain a few percent copper.Copper water heating cylindersCopper Range HoodsCopper Bath TubsCopper CountersCopper SinksCopper slug tape As a component of coins, often as cupronickel alloy.Coins in the following countries all contain copper: European Union (Euro), United States, United Kingdom (sterling), Australia and New Zealand.U.S. Nickels are 75.0% copper by weight and only 25.0% nickel. As a biostatic surface in hospitals, and to line parts of ships to protect against barnacles and mussels, originally used pure, but superseded by Muntz metal. Bacteria will not grow on a copper surface because it is biostatic. Copper doorknobs are used by hospitals to reduce the transfer of disease, and Legionnaires' disease is suppressed by copper tubing in air-conditioning systems.Copper sulfate is used as a fungicide and as algae control in domestic lakes and ponds. It is used in gardening powders and sprays to kill mildew.Copper-62-PTSM, a complex containing radioactive copper-62, is used as a Positron emission tomography radiotracer for heart blood flow measurements.Copper-64 can be used as a Positron emission tomography radiotracer for medical imaging. When complexed with a chelate it can be used to treat cancer through radiation therapy. Compounds, such as Fehling's solution, have applications in chemistry.As a component in ceramic glazes, and to colour glass. Musical instruments, especially brass instruments and timpani.Class D Fire Extinguisher, used in powder form to extinguish lithium fires by covering the burning metal and performing similar to a heat sink.Textile fibers to create antimicrobial protective fabrics.Small arms ammunition commonly uses copper as a jacketing material around the bullet core.Copper is also commonly used as a case material, in the form of brass.Copper is used as a liner in shaped-charge armour-piercing warheads.Copper is frequently used in electroplating with Zinc and other metals.Copper/Chlorine ions are injected into seawater systems as a biocide to prevent marine growth within the seawater pumping system.