1. Chapter 20 Lesson 20.2 magnetic resonance (MR) nuclear medicine
positron emission tomography (PET)
Radioimmunoassay radioisotope radiology
Radiolucent radionuclide
Radiopaque radiopharmaceutical
Roentgenology scan
Scintigraphy
single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
Tagging tracer studies Transducer
ultrasound (US, U/S) Uptake
ventilation/perfusion studies
Journal question: Dr. Fuller has a patient she suspects has a malfunctioning thyroid gland. What type of diagnostic tool should she use, and what sorts of information might she obtain about the state of the thyroid?
Copyright © 2011, 2008, 2005 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Objectives
Learn about the role of radioactivity in the diagnosis of disease.
Become familiar with medical terms used in the specialties of radiology and nuclear medicine.
Apply your new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper contexts, such as medical reports and records.

3. Nuclear Medicine Radionuclides/radioisotopes Nuclear medicine tests
Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays
Nuclear medicine tests
In vitro: test tube
In vivo: in the body
Half-life of a particle is the time required to lose half of its radioactivity (disintegration).
Important to know this because the length of time the diagnostic tool will stay in the body is critical to the test and critical in keeping the patient safe from radiation effects.

4. In Vitro Procedures Analysis of blood and urine
Radioimmunoassay (RIA) uses radioactive chemicals and antibodies to detect hormones and drugs in the patient’s blood (for example, digitalis detection, hypothyroidism in newborns).
What is the meaning of in vitro? (Latin for “in the test tube”)
Describe in vivo tests.

5. In Vivo Procedures
Radioactive substance given directly to patient to evaluate organ function or image
Radiopharmaceutical (labeled compound) concentrates in organ
Scintiscanner (gamma camera) detection instrument produces picture (scintiscan)
Amounts of radiopharmaceuticals detected at a given location or organ are proportional to the rate at which the gamma rays are emitted.
What is the meaning of in vivo? (Latin for “in the body” )

6. Procedures Using Radionuclides
Bone scan
Gallium scan
Liver and spleen scans
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
99mTechnetium sestamibi (cardiolite)
Thallium (Tl) scan
Thyroid scan
What name can be applied to this group of tests? (tracer studies)
What is another name for radionuclide scanning? (scintigraphy)

7. Focus on PET Scan
Radioisotopes (emission of positrons) instead of contrast x-rays
Intravenous injection
Concentrates radioisotopes in tissues where the radionuclide is or is not being metabolized
Useful in treating stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimer disease, brain tumors, abdominal and pulmonary malignancies
PET is an acronym for Positron Emission Tomography.
How are the radionuclides incorporated into the tissue?

8. Focus on SPECT Intravenous injection of radioactive tracer
Computer reconstruction of 3-D image based on many views
Detects liver tumors, cardiac ischemia, diseases of bone and spine
SPECT is an acronym for Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography.
What is an example of a radioactive tracer?

9. QUICK QUIZ:
Which of the following is a handheld device that sends and receives ultrasound signals?
Gamma camera
roentgenology
radioisotope
transducer
Correct answer is D: transducer

10. QUICK QUIZ:
Which of the following is a handheld device that sends and receives ultrasound signals?
Gamma camera
roentgenology
radioisotope
transducer
Correct answer is D: transducer

11. Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and Terminology
fluor/o luminous
is/o same
pharmaceut/o drug
radi/o x-rays
roentgen/o x-rays
Combining Form Meaning

12. Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and Terminology (cont’d)
son/o sound
therapeut/o treatment
vitr/o glass
viv/o life
Combining Form Meaning

13. Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and Terminology (cont’d)
-gram record
-graphy process of recording
-lucent to shine
-opaque obscure
Suffix Meaning

14. Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and Terminology (cont’d)
cine- movement
echo- a repeated sound
ultra- beyond
Prefix Meaning

15. QUICK QUIZ:
Which term refers movement away from the midline of the body?
adduction
abduction PA
inversion
Correct answer is B: abduction.

16. QUICK QUIZ:
Which term refers movement away from the midline of the body?
adduction
abduction PA
inversion
Correct answer is B: abduction.

17. QUICK QUIZ: (cont’d) Which term refers a patient lying on the back?
prone
supine
flexion
lateral decubitus
Correct answer is B: supine

18. QUICK QUIZ: (cont’d) Which term refers a patient lying on the back?
prone
supine
flexion
lateral decubitus
Correct answer is B: supine