Nuclear medicine is a highly specialized field that utilizes radioactive compounds for diagnosing and treating various human diseases. Rooted in the 'tracer principle' introduced by Georg Karl von Hevesy in the early 1920s, this approach allows for the in vivo study of numerous physiological processes, such as cellular metabolism, blood flow in organs, and organ function, by using minute amounts of radioactive tracers that do not trigger any pharmacological response from the body. In addition, nuclear medicine employs larger quantities of radionuclides in radiopharmaceutical therapies.
The essence of nuclear medicine lies in functional imaging, which provides a comprehensive view of the entire body and its processes over time, in contrast to traditional X-ray imaging that targets specific areas. Gamma ray emissions and annihilation radiation are the two primary types of radiation used in nuclear medicine imaging techniques, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Recent advancements in the field have combined PET and gamma cameras with high-resolution structural imaging devices like CT and MRI scanners, offering unparalleled visualization of normal and altered physiology in the body.
Medical physicists play a crucial role in the multidisciplinary team of nuclear medicine professionals, working alongside nuclear medicine physicians and technologists/radiographers. Their responsibilities encompass instrument performance, radiation dosimetry for patient treatment, radiation protection for staff, and data analysis accuracy. Additionally, medical physicists are involved in internal dosimetry, ensuring the precise measurement and calculation of radiation dose absorbed by the patient's body during radiopharmaceutical therapies. Drawing on their expertise in radiation and nuclear science, medical physicists contribute to the delivery of optimal healthcare by ensuring the highest quality of diagnostic scans and treatments administered to patients.
