What do gamma camera images tell us?
What do gamma camera images tell us?
Gamma cameras or scintillation cameras are pieces of apparatus which allow radiologists to carry out ‘scintigraphy scans’, tests which provide detailed diagnoses about the functioning of the thyroid, the heart, the lungs and many other parts of the body.
Can cameras see gamma rays?
The gamma camera or SPECT camera is a camera that is able to detect scintillations (flashes of light) produced when gamma rays, resulting from radioactive decay of single photon emitting radioisotopes, interact with a sodium iodide crystal at the front of the camera.
Is a gamma camera a CT scan?
The CT Gamma Camera is a state-of-the-art hybrid diagnostic CT and Gamma Camera which provides us with highly accurate images.
What are the advantages of gamma cameras?
Variations from traditional medical imaging
| Advantages of gamma rays | Disadvantages of gamma rays |
|---|---|
| Initially, equipment are less costly | scanning time longer |
| Greater penetrating power | Sources need replacing |
| More portable | Images less sharp |
| Smaller and lighter equipment | Radiation cannot be switched off |
What does the gamma camera look like?
The gamma camera itself does not emit any radiation. It is composed of radiation detectors, called gamma camera heads, which are encased in metal and plastic and most often shaped like a box, attached to a round circular donut shaped gantry.
Where is a gamma camera used?
Diagnostic Procedures The gamma camera, also called scintillation camera, is the most commonly used imaging device in nuclear medicine. It simultaneously detects radiation from the entire FOV and enables the acquisition of dynamic as well as static images of the area of interest in the human body [67].
How much does a gamma camera cost?
A SPECT scanner gamma camera costs $400,000 to $600,000, while a PET-CT scanner can cost around $2 million.
Does nuclear medicine have side effects?
Are there side effects to nuclear medicine exams? Very few people experience side effects from a nuclear medicine exam. Allergic reactions are extremely rare. Any adverse reactions are usually mild, pass quickly, and need little or no medical treatment.
