 |
|
Identifying the "Nuclear" in Nuclear Medicine as High Benefit
October 05, 2006RESTON, Va.-Say the word nuclear and it conjures up mistaken ideas about radiation, an invisible, odorless and intangible force that allows doctors to non-invasively see into the body. Say the words nuclear medicine, and its powerful reality is that it is highly beneficial to life, said Jonathan M. Links, former SNM president, who has written an overview on understanding radiological and nuclear terrorism in the October issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
"When people hear the words radiation and radioactivity, they initially think negative thoughts," said Links, professor and director of the Center for Public Health Preparedness at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Md. "The public's perception of the risks of radiation is that radiation is highly risky. It's best to get the scientific facts. In reality, radiation-a release of energy-allows doctors to effectively diagnose and treat disease," noted Baltimore's radiation terror expert and co-author of "Understanding Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism as Public Health Threats: Preparedness and Response Perspectives."
The use of nuclear medicine-giving tiny amounts of radioactive materials to patients to examine molecular processes in the body to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases-continues to grow and evolve. Every major hospital in this country has a nuclear medicine department. Last year, 19.7 million nuclear medicine procedures were performed on 17.2 million women, men and children in more than 7,200 medical sites in the United States-a 15 percent increase from four years ago. Every day, about 55,000 women, men and children undergo nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) procedures to evaluate heart disease, detect cancer and determine response to treatment, diagnose and evaluate brain disorders and locate stress fractures.
When it comes to nuclear medicine, Links says the public should keep in mind these facts.
- Nuclear medicine/molecular imaging procedures are an invaluable way to gather medical information that would otherwise be unavailable, require surgery or necessitate more expensive diagnostic tests.
- The radiation dose to the body a patient may receive from a diagnostic nuclear medicine study is typically equal to or less than the natural "background" radiation dose a person may receive every year from rocks, soil, space (air travel), building materials and radon.
- In use for more than 60 years, nuclear medicine is an established medical specialty that is older than CT, MRI and ultrasound imaging. As nuclear medicine techniques merge with new technologies, hybrid imaging and advances in molecular biology, a new era in molecular imaging will add to the understanding of the molecular basis of disease. Molecular imaging will provide a way to integrate information about location, structure, function and biology, leading to a new package of noninvasive imaging tools that could have vast potential for improving patient care.
- Terrorists use the threat of radiation-of setting off a "dirty bomb" (radioactivity packaged with conventional explosives) or an improvised (crude) nuclear device-to create a climate of fear, says Links. From a public health perspective, this is more a psychological weapon than a physical weapon for a community. "Radiation is an especially powerful terrorism weapon because it instills considerable fear," notes Links. To counter "the terror of terrorism," Links suggests integrating excellent crisis communication with every disaster plan created. Public safety and health officials need to communicate with the public about what safeguards are in place to prevent terrorist actions and what plans and infrastructure are in place to rapidly respond to the public's needs. "Terrorists succeed if we give in to the fear because that's what they want. Their target isn't those who may get injured or killed in an explosion-it's all the rest of us," said Links.
- Nuclear medicine professionals are knowledgeable about the uses and effects of radiation, and should assist with local police, fire, public safety and health departments in developing community response plans to ensure that local and federal first responders can address issues or circumstances linked to possible terrorist attacks. Links, who works with officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security, encourages nuclear medicine professionals to contact local authorities and become identified as subject matter experts. "All preparedness starts locally," said Links. "Nuclear medicine professionals should actively seek out such collaboration and be part of planning and preparedness activities now," he said.
- Given heightened concerns about terrorism, sensitive radiation detectors are used in major cities and public transportation facilities. Individuals who receive nuclear medicine procedures may trigger detector alarms and be stopped by security personnel. Common radioisotopes that are used in many nuclear medicine studies that could set off radiation monitors, each with varying half lives or decay time, include technetium-99m, fluorine-18 (FDG) and thallium-201. Most recent problems with radiation monitors have been with the use of iodine-131, which is used to treat hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer and lymphoma.
- Your physician can help you avoid any security problems by providing a letter containing the following information: the patient's name, name and date of the nuclear medicine procedure, the related radionuclide, its half life, the administered activity and 24-hour contact information. This letter should provide specific details about who should be contacted. Outside of normal working hours, the contact person should have access to an appropriate source of information so the information in the letter can be independently confirmed.
"Understanding Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism as Public Health Threats: Preparedness and Response Perspectives" appears in the October issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, which is published by SNM, an international scientific and professional organization of more than 16,000 physician, technologist and scientist members. Other co-authors include Daniel J. Barnett and Cindy L. Parker, both Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health Preparedness; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; David W. Blodgett, Southwest Utah Public Health Department, St. George, Utah, and Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health Preparedness, Baltimore, Md.; and Rachel K. Wierzba, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.
SNM
When it comes to nuclear medicine, Links says the public should keep in mind these facts.
- Nuclear medicine/molecular imaging procedures are an invaluable way to gather medical information that would otherwise be unavailable, require surgery or necessitate more expensive diagnostic tests.
- The radiation dose to the body a patient may receive from a diagnostic nuclear medicine study is typically equal to or less than the natural "background" radiation dose a person may receive every year from rocks, soil, space (air travel), building materials and radon.
- In use for more than 60 years, nuclear medicine is an established medical specialty that is older than CT, MRI and ultrasound imaging. As nuclear medicine techniques merge with new technologies, hybrid imaging and advances in molecular biology, a new era in molecular imaging will add to the understanding of the molecular basis of disease. Molecular imaging will provide a way to integrate information about location, structure, function and biology, leading to a new package of noninvasive imaging tools that could have vast potential for improving patient care.
- Terrorists use the threat of radiation-of setting off a "dirty bomb" (radioactivity packaged with conventional explosives) or an improvised (crude) nuclear device-to create a climate of fear, says Links. From a public health perspective, this is more a psychological weapon than a physical weapon for a community. "Radiation is an especially powerful terrorism weapon because it instills considerable fear," notes Links. To counter "the terror of terrorism," Links suggests integrating excellent crisis communication with every disaster plan created. Public safety and health officials need to communicate with the public about what safeguards are in place to prevent terrorist actions and what plans and infrastructure are in place to rapidly respond to the public's needs. "Terrorists succeed if we give in to the fear because that's what they want. Their target isn't those who may get injured or killed in an explosion-it's all the rest of us," said Links.
- Nuclear medicine professionals are knowledgeable about the uses and effects of radiation, and should assist with local police, fire, public safety and health departments in developing community response plans to ensure that local and federal first responders can address issues or circumstances linked to possible terrorist attacks. Links, who works with officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security, encourages nuclear medicine professionals to contact local authorities and become identified as subject matter experts. "All preparedness starts locally," said Links. "Nuclear medicine professionals should actively seek out such collaboration and be part of planning and preparedness activities now," he said.
- Given heightened concerns about terrorism, sensitive radiation detectors are used in major cities and public transportation facilities. Individuals who receive nuclear medicine procedures may trigger detector alarms and be stopped by security personnel. Common radioisotopes that are used in many nuclear medicine studies that could set off radiation monitors, each with varying half lives or decay time, include technetium-99m, fluorine-18 (FDG) and thallium-201. Most recent problems with radiation monitors have been with the use of iodine-131, which is used to treat hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer and lymphoma.
- Your physician can help you avoid any security problems by providing a letter containing the following information: the patient's name, name and date of the nuclear medicine procedure, the related radionuclide, its half life, the administered activity and 24-hour contact information. This letter should provide specific details about who should be contacted. Outside of normal working hours, the contact person should have access to an appropriate source of information so the information in the letter can be independently confirmed.
"Understanding Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism as Public Health Threats: Preparedness and Response Perspectives" appears in the October issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, which is published by SNM, an international scientific and professional organization of more than 16,000 physician, technologist and scientist members. Other co-authors include Daniel J. Barnett and Cindy L. Parker, both Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health Preparedness; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; David W. Blodgett, Southwest Utah Public Health Department, St. George, Utah, and Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health Preparedness, Baltimore, Md.; and Rachel K. Wierzba, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.
SNM
Nuclear Medicine News and Current Nuclear Medicine Events RSSThe future of non-invasive cardiac imaging
Imaging has gained attention in many areas of medicine but its relevance and importance in clinical cardiology cannot be underestimated.
PET scans lead to treatment changes in majority of colorectal cancer patients
In the largest multi-institutional study to date examining the impact of positron emission tomography (PET) in changing disease management of individuals with suspected recurrent colorectal cancer, researchers found that treatment plans were changed for more than half of patients.
Nature or Nurture-Are You Who Your Brain Chemistry Says You Are?
Researchers using positron emission tomography (PET) have validated a long-held theory that individual personality traits-particularly reward dependency-are connected to brain chemistry, a finding that has implications for better understanding and treating substance abuse and other addictive behaviors.
MDCT just as accurate as MRI in assessing myocardial infarction in emergency setting
Multidetector CT (MDCT) is just as accurate as MRI in assessing myocardial infarct size--an important predictor of clinical outcome-- in an emergency setting according to a recent study conducted by researchers in collaboration between the VA Medical Center in San Francisco, CA and the University Claude Bernard in Lyon, France.
Chest Pain Center Accreditation Linked with Better Outcomes in Heart Attack Patients
Hospitals accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) have been shown to perform better in the heart attack core measures established by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as compared to non-accredited hospitals, according to a national study led by an Emory University researcher.
Fair and adequate reimbursement is vital to developing life-saving medical treatments
Reimbursement of molecular imaging and therapies-leading to the early detection and diagnosis of many life-threatening diseases-remains an urgent and critical need as consumers face ever-increasing healthcare costs.
PET/CT scan could be valuable noninvasive tool for determining stages of ovarian cancer
Combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scanning of patients in the early stages of ovarian cancer can enable physicians to determine whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes without having to perform surgery.
New test could aid children suffering from reflux disease
A nuclear medicine imaging test was used to confirm that children with respiratory problems may be more likely to develop gastroesophageal reflux disease, according to researchers at SNM's 55th Annual Meeting.
First semiconductor-based PET scanner demonstrates potential to aid in early diagnosis of disease
Evaluations of the first-ever prototype positron emission tomography (PET) brain scanner that uses semiconductor detectors indicate that the scanner could advance the quality and spatial resolution of PET imaging, according to researchers at SNM's 55th Annual Meeting.
New molecular imaging techniques may lead to advances in disease treatment
A promising new technique has been developed that will enable more accurate non-invasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of new cells injected into the body, according to researchers at SNM's 55th Annual Meeting.
More Nuclear Medicine News Articles
 | Principles of Radiographic Imaging: An Art and a Science by Richard R. Carlton, Arlene McKenna Adler Strength of the book is the writing style, with an approach that builds from the simple to the complex. Principles of Radiographic Imaging presents clear and concise information on radiographic contrast, density, detail and distortion, and ties those concepts together to present an overall picture of radiographic exposure. Radiographic Imaging is a required part of the Radiologic Technology... |
 | Occupational Therapy for Physical Dysfunction The definitive work on occupational therapy for physical dysfunction returns in its Sixth Edition, with reputable co-editors and clinical, academic, and consumer contributors. This text provides a current and well-rounded view of the field- from theoretical rationale to evaluation, treatment, and follow-up. Through the Occupational Functioning Model (OFM), the Sixth Edition continues to... |
 | MRI in Practice (3rd Edition) by Catherine Westbrook, Carolyn Kaut Roth, John Talbot Since the first edition of MRI in Practice was published in 1993, the book has become the standard text for radiographers, technologists, radiology residents, radiologists and even sales representatives on the subject of magnetic resonance imaging. This text is essential reading on postgraduate courses. Furthermore, MRI in Practice has come to be known as the number one reference book and study... |
 | Color Atlas of Histology by Leslie P Gartner, James L Hiatt This compact atlas provides medical, dental, allied health, and biology students with an outstanding collection of histology images for all of the major tissue classes and body systems. The Fourth Edition features a completely re-digitized image collection, along with other hallmarks of this atlas that have been proven over time, including its concise writing style, compact size/format, and... |
| Understanding Voice Problems: A Physiological Perspective for Diagnosis and Treatment (UNDERSTANDING VOICE PROBLEMS: PHYS PERSP/ DIAG & TREATMENT) by Raymond H Colton, Janina K Casper, Rebecca Leonard Now in its Third Edition, this book emphasizes the physiological perspective of voice disorders—and the behavioral and emotional factors that can influence these changes. Readers will find a strong foundation in normal phonatory physiology and acoustics as well as pathophysiology arising from voice misuse, abuse, or neurological involvement. Coverage includes in-depth explorations of... | |
 | The Radiology 101: The Basics and Fundamentals of Imaging (The Core Curriculum Series) by William E Erkonen, Wilbur L Smith Featuring over 850 illustrations, Radiology 101 provides the basic groundwork necessary for interpreting images and understanding how current imaging modalities function. The first chapter explains the principles, capabilities, and limitations of each imaging modality. Subsequent chapters examine anatomic areas and organ systems, including a separate chapter on the pediatric chest and abdomen.... |
 | Felson's Principles of Chest Roentgenology Text with CD-ROM (Goodman, Felson's Principles of Chest Roentgenology) by Lawrence R. Goodman This classic text is the must-have primer of chest radiology. The Third Edition reflects the latest imaging approaches and terminology while retaining the easy-to-use format that has always made this book so popular. Images and diagrams appear on the left-hand pages while text and multiple-choice review questions appear on the corresponding right-hand pages. An accompanying CD-ROM includes... |
 | Patient Assessment Tutorials: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Dental Hygienist by Jill S Nield-Gehrig The ability to perform and document patient assessment procedures is vital to the practice of dental hygiene--a complete and accurate assessment is the starting point to providing thorough patient care. Make sure you are prepared for patient assessment with this unique guide that takes you step-by-step through each assessment procedure including techniques for effectively communicating the... |
 | Squire's Fundamentals of Radiology: Sixth Edition (Squire's Fundamentals of Radiology) by Robert A. Novelline In the past five years, the development of new imaging technologies that make possible faster and more accurate diagnoses has significantly improved the imaging of disease and injury. This new edition of Squire's Fundamentals of Radiology describes and illustrates these new techniques to prepare medical students and other radiology learners to provide the most optimal and up-to-date imaging... |
 | Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging (Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging (Mettler)) by Fred A. Mettler, Milton J. Guiberteau Through four editions, this resource has established itself as the best introduction to nuclear imaging techniques. It is practical, yet comprehensive, covering physics, instrumentation, quality control, and legal requirements. The 5th Edition features a new color format, with many user-friendly features such as "Pearls and Pitfalls." More than 600 pictures in digital-quality resolution depict... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |