Advancing Healthcare with Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine is a specialized field of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive materials, called radiotracers, to diagnose and treat various diseases. Unlike traditional imaging techniques such as X-rays or CT scans, which primarily show the structure of organs, nuclear medicine provides detailed information about the function and metabolism of tissues. This makes it a powerful tool for early detection and precise evaluation of illnesses.
One of the most widely known nuclear medicine procedures is the positron emission tomography (PET) scan, often combined with computed tomography (PET/CT). PET scans are particularly useful in oncology, as they can detect cancer cells based on their heightened metabolic activity. Similarly, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans help visualize blood flow to the heart, brain function, and bone disorders. These imaging methods allow physicians to see the onset of disease before structural changes occur, enabling timely intervention.