Gamma Camera Indications | Gamma Camera Imaging Technique

Patient is injected radiopharmaceuticals before imaging. The tracer or radiopharmaceutical is produced through addition of a radioactive isotope to a pharmaceutical specific to the organ being imaged. The radioactive tracer emits gamma radiation, which is then imaged using a gamma camera.

The gamma camera consists of a radiation sensitive crystal which detects the distribution of the tracer within the patient's body. The information is converted to a digital format to produce a two or three dimensional image on a screen.

Common Clinical Applications : Images of scans

Bone scan; to assess metabolic activity of the bones. Commonly used for oncology staging, arthritis, fractures.

Myocardial Perfusion scan; to compare the blood flow to the myocardium at exercise and rest allowing for differentiation of ischaemia and infarction.

Renal scan; to determine the perfusion and drainage of the kidneys and allow for calculation of differential function.

Lung scan (VQ); to allow for comparison of ventilation and perfusion of the lungs to diagnose pulmonary embolism.

Thyroid scan; to assess the appearance and function of the thyroid gland.