Radionuclide imaging

Radionuclide imaging is a noninvasive medical imaging technique in which small amounts of radioactive tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) are administered to the patient, accumulate in specific organs or tissues, and emit gamma rays or positrons that are detected by cameras to create detailed functional and sometimes anatomical images. This method is used primarily for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment assessment of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, infection, and inflammation. It differs from structural imaging modalities like CT or MRI by providing information about tissue function and metabolism rather than only anatomy. Common types include PET scans and SPECT scans

Other names

Nuclear imagingRadionuclide scanNuclear medicine imagingRadiotracer imaging