Nuclear Medicine
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Nuclear Medicine is a specialty that makes use of radioactive tracers that emit gamma-rays to assess the physiological functioning of organs and systems in the body. Radioactive tracers are injected, ingested or inhaled into the body where they are taken up by various organs according to the patient?s metabolism. Some of the gamma rays emitted by a radioactive tracer escape from the body and can then be imaged by a gamma camera as shown in the picture. The images are displayed on the acquisition control consol. A computer to extract information about the organ physiology can then process the raw image data. Examples include: |
 Gamma Camera |
- The extent of damage to heart muscle after a heart attack
- The presence of malignant lesions and their size
- The functioning of the kidneys and liver
- The presence of blockages in the blood vessels of the lung
As part of the multi-disciplinary Nuclear Medicine team, the Medical Physicist
- Oversees the repair and maintenance of the gamma cameras and associated image processing equipment,
- Is responsible for the quality control of the gamma cameras, associated image processing equipment, and survey meters.
- Assists in the education of specialists and radiographers in radiation physics as applied to this specialty,
- Ensures compliance with radiation safety regulations in all activities
- Assists in the design of research projects and the analysis of their results,
- Assist in drawing up tender specifications for the purchase of new equipment,
The services to the Nuclear Medicine Division extend to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and include maintaining telemedicine links between the two hospitals.
Pictures of Bone scans obtained by a gamma camera.
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As part of the multi-disciplinary Nuclear Medicine team, the Medical Physicist
The services to the Nuclear Medicine Division extend to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and include maintaining telemedicine links between the two hospitals.
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