[en] The required diagnostic information needs to be obtained whilst giving the minimum radiation dose to the patient and minimising the time taken, the cost, and the inconvenience. These several requirements can conflict, and the keys to optimal imaging are: (1) choose the best radiopharmaceutical and administer an appropriate activity; (2) choose the collimator for the required resolution; (3) ensure that the imaging equipment is functioning optimally; (4) make the most of the photons by using a good technique; and (5) display the results in a manner which makes the best use of the information. A programme of quality assurance should cover all aspects of the service; the organisation and training; the quality control of materials and equipment; and the quality of clinical reporting. Tomographic techniques demand particular attention to quality control. Positron emission tomography (PET) can now be performed with dual-headed gamma cameras, but these are far less sensitive than multi-detector systems. The correct choice of image display parameters is vital, and there are many potential pitfalls. (author)

[en] The effective dose equivalent quantity was developed by the ICRP and is defined as a weighted sum of the dose equivalents to individual tissues. This single figure may be used to compare the radiation burden from diagnostic of X-ray procedures and from radioisotope investigations in nuclear medicine procedures. Values of effective dose equivalents are tabulated for some of the more prominent diagnostic X-ray procedures and nuclear medicine procedures. Risk estimates associated with radiation and other everyday activities are also given. (U.K.)

No abstract available

[en] This edition on radionuclide techniques in urology and nephrology reflects the many advances since 1979. Emphasis has been given to diuretic renography and studies of urinary reflux. A new chapter discusses the diagnosis of lower urinary tract problems. The editors have divided the book into three sections. The first part presents a description of the techniques and their interpretation. Renography, renal scanning, clearance studies, and bone scanning are covered. The second section gives an in-depth discussion of the application of these techniques to obstructive uropathy, urologic tumors, renal transplantation, trauma, and lower urinary tract, pediatric, and nephrologic problems. The last part of the book deals with basic principles. It expands on the relevant theoretical and technical aspects not covered in detail in part 1. In this last portion of the book the editors have grouped together the chapters on physics, instrumentation, radiopharmaceuticals, and radiation dosimetry

[en] This work deals with the common applications of the gamma camera in medicine; static and dynamic imaging; tomography and future developments. (Author)

[en] The results are presented for matching studies of chest radiographs, ⁸¹Krsup(m) ventilation and ⁹⁹Tcsup(m) perfusion scans of 65 patients suspected of pulmonary embolism. A perfusion scan allowed pulmonary embolus to be excluded in those patients in whom the scan is normal. In the remainder with abnormal perfusion scans, a normal chest radiograph indicated the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. A ventilation scan, was however, necessary in those cases with an abnormal radiography and abnormal perfusion scan. If the ventilation scan were normal, the diagnosis was pulmonary embolism; if the ventilation scan were abnormal, the diagnosis still could not be certain. Thirty other patients were also examined for other lung disorders, including 8 asthmatic subjects in whom it was difficult or impossible to diagnose pulmonary embolism, due to anatomical mis-matching of ventilation and perfusion abnormalities. (author)

[en] Abstract only

[en] The subject is covered in sections, as follows: (part 1, techniques) renography, renal imaging, clearance studies, bone scanning; (part 2, clinical applications) obstructive uropathy, space-occupying lesions of the kidney, renovascular hypertension and renal failure, paediatric problems and congenital abnormalities, urinary tract trauma, metastatic disease, renal transplantation; (part 3, basic principles) physics (atoms, radioactive decay, interaction of radiation with matter), instrumentation (sodium iodide scintillation detector, rectilinear scanner, scintillation camera, nuclear medicine computer system), radiopharmaceuticals (used for clearance studies, for renal imaging, for renography), mathematics, dosimetry. (U.K.)

[en] A new radiopharmaceutical, sup(99m)Tc-thiodiglycolic acid (TDG) was compared to sup(99m)Tc-DTPA and ¹²³I-hippuran in adult subjects undergoing renal clearance studies and gamma camera renography. The results showed that sup(99m)Tc-TDG is superior to sup(99m)Tc-DTPA and approaches ¹²³I-hippuran in many of its characteristics. Since the limited availability of ¹²³I makes ¹²³I-hippuran expensive, sup(99m)Tc-TDG is of considerable interest. (U.K.)

[en] A new method of image processing from a Tc-99m-dimethyl iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan is described in the study of regional hepatic function in patients and may be used to differentiate between obstructive and hepatocellular jaundice. processing systems; neither complex mathematics nor special algorithms are required. The images are presented with a special two-colour display scale. The functional images clearly demonstrate regional movement of tracer. A few such images satisfactorily represent the whole HIDA study and present the information in a concise and clear manner. (U.K.)