Iodine-123 Ioflupane known as DaTscan aids in diagnosing Parkinson's disease by visualising dopamine transporters using SPECT imaging.
Human Body Imaging
SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) is a nuclear imaging technique that allows clinicians and researchers to visualise the functional activity within the human body. SPECT imaging is particularly useful in neurology, cardiology, and oncology. It utilises radioisotopes that emit gamma radiation and a gamma camera to create detailed, three-dimensional images of the distribution of radioactivity within the body. As a result, SPECT provides valuable insights into the physiological processes, which can aid in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring of various diseases and conditions.
Principles of SPECT Imaging
SPECT imaging relies on the use of radiopharmaceuticals, which are compounds containing a radioactive isotope that emit gamma rays. These radiopharmaceuticals are administered to the patient, typically through intravenous injection. Once inside the body, the radiopharmaceuticals accumulate in the target organ or tissue, depending on their chemical properties and affinity for specific biological processes. The distribution of radioactivity reflects the functional activity of the targeted area.
A gamma camera with a collimator detects and measures the emitted gamma radiation. The collimator filters and focuses the gamma rays onto a scintillation crystal, producing flashes of light proportional to the energy of the gamma rays. Photomultiplier tubes convert this light flashes into electrical signals that are processed and reconstructed into a three-dimensional image by a computer.
Applications of SPECT Imaging
Iodine-123 Ioflupane known as DaTscan aids in diagnosing Parkinson's disease by visualising dopamine transporters using SPECT imaging.
Iodine-123 iobenguane is vital for detecting, staging, and monitoring neuroendocrine tumours, guiding treatment, and offering prognostic insights.
Gallium-67 citrate is a radiopharmaceutical used for imaging infections, inflammation, cancer, and fever of unknown origin.
Overview on the central role of chelation in labelling radiocompounds.