52. NUCLEAR IMAGING: SPECT

Question 1

1. What does SPECT stand for?

Answer 1

• Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography

Question 2

2. What kind of views do the SPECT cameras acquire?

Answer 2

• they acquire multiple planar views
• of the radioactivity
• in an organ

Question 3

3. How do we obtain images in a CT scan?

Answer 3

• we obtain reconstructed 3D images
• these are made up of 2D cross-sectional image slides
• these slides are a result of the images taken from
  different angles

Question 4

4. What happen after the SPECT cameras acquire multiple planar views of the radioactivity in an organ?

Answer 4

• the data is processed mathematically
• this creates a cross-sectional view of the organ

Question 5

5. What kind of Photons does SPECT technology make use of?

Answer 5

• it makes use of single photons
• these are emitted by Gamma-emitting Radionuclides

Question 6

6. List 3 examples of the Gamma-emitting Radionuclides used in SPECT?

Answer 6

1. TECHNETIUM
   - 99 m Tc
   - this is the Meta stable state
   - it is often injected into tumours and blood
2. INDIUM
   
   • 111 In
   • this is the most suitable isotope to study the thyroid
3. IODINE
   
   • 123 I
   • this is very expensive

Question 7

7. What is the simplest design for SPECT imaging devices?

Answer 7

• the Anger camera
• with 2 additional features

Question 8

8. What are the additional 2 features added to the Anger Camera that turn it into a SPECT camera?

Answer 8

1. THE SPECT CAMERA IS CONSTRUCTED
   
   • so that the head can rotate about the patient
   • this acquires multiple views
2. THE SPECT CAMERA
   - is equipped with a computer
   - this integrates the multiple images
   - this produces the cross-sectional views of the organ

Question 9

9. Does this image make sense?

Answer 9

• yes

Question 10

10. Does this image make sense?

Answer 10

• yes

Question 11

11. What are the 3 main categories of diseases that SPECT cameras are used to diagnose and monitor?

Answer 11

1. Brain Disorders
2. Heart Problems
3. Bone Disorders

Question 12

12. List t examples of Brain Disorders.

Answer 12

1. Dementia
2. Seizures
3. Clogged Blood Vessels
4. Epilepsy
5. Head Injuries

Question 13

13. List 2 examples of Heart Problems.

Answer 13

1. Clogged Coronary Arteries
2. Reduced Pumping Efficiency

Question 14

14. List 2 examples of Bone Disorders.

Answer 14

1. Areas of Bone Healing
2. Cancer Progression

Question 15

15. what does the circled part of the image show?

Answer 15

• it shows a normal perfusion
• this happens during rest