The nuclear camera is sometimes called the gamma camera, and is used to take images of the brain, thyroid, lungs, liver, skeleton, and more.
The device is used to image gamma radiation emitting radioisotopes, which is called scintigraphy. The basic concept is that a drug containing radioisotopes is taken internally by the patient and then the drug travels to specific organs and tissues. The emitted gamma radiation is captured by the nuclear camera in order to form two dimensional images.
SPECT imaging (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging, as used in nuclear cardiac stress testing, as well as PET machines, use nuclear cameras to detect internal radiation, but they are classified separately from scintigraphy because they form 3-D images.
Nuclear cameras are similar to X-Ray machines but differ in that they map the function and processes of the body instead of the anatomy and structure.
Contact Amber Diagnostics today to discuss your nuclear camera options today!
