Nuclear Medicine/SPECT
NUCLEAR MEDICINE SERVICES at AIC
AIC has the valley's most sophisticated nuclear camera.
Q. Can you tell me more about the new NUCLEAR/SPECT/PET camera
at AIC?
A. The Nuclear scanner at AIC (shown above) is the most
sophisticated in the Antelope Valley area. It is a top-of-the-line Siemens
state-of-the-art dual-head gamma camera that can perform full range
of Nuclear Medicine scans including SPECT scans as well as
PET scans.
Q. What types of Nuclear studies are offered at
AIC?
A. Full nuclear services are offered including bone scans, HIDA scans, V/Q scans, thyroid
scans, Indium white cell scans, Gallium scans, brain SPECT,
scintilymphangiography, cardiac scans (thallium
and Sestamibi SPECT, etc.).
Q. What is SPECT and what are some of the
indications?
A. SPECT stands for
Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography. SPECT is to planar nuclear
scanning as CT (CAT scan) is to planar x-rays. SPECT images are
tomographic slices through the region of interest. It is more sensitive
than planar scanning due to its finer thickness. Multiplanar imaging
(coronal, sagittal, axial) is available. SPECT is now the standard
technique in cardiac imaging, but has broad applications such as in bone
scanning. Images on the right show a coronal CT reformation of the spine
demonstrating a sclerotic lesion in T12 vertebral body and the
corresponding coronal SPECT image clearly showing increased activity in
T12 (arrows). The planar whole body bone scan
(not shown) was negative failing to show the T12
lesion.
Q. What is a PET scan and what are some of
the indications?
A. PET stands for
Positron Emission Tomography. PET imaging uses a glucose
analogue agent called F18-Fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose or FDG. In
the body, PET is used in oncology to detect malignancy since malignant
cells demonstrate higher glucose metabolism. Thus it can differentiate
between malignant and benign tumors and between recurrent tumor and scar
tissue/radiation changes, etc. In the brain, it can be used
for malignancy as well as Seizures/Epilepsy, Alzheimer and other
Dementias, Schizophrenia, Depression, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD),
etc. The images on the right show a reformatted coronal CT image with the
corresponding coronal PET image of an unsuspected destructive metastasis
to the left upper rib cage (arrows).
| ScanHealth |
Open MRI |
High-field MRI | MR Angiography |
Helical CT |
CT Angiography | Calcium Scoring
|
| 4D CT Reconstruction |
Dental Scan | 4D
Ultrasound | Nuclear Medicine | PET Scan |
DEXA Bone Density |
X-ray |
1.
The only community-based, private-practice, physician-operated
imaging facility in the Antelope Valley, just like any other private
practice medical office. Not belonging to any hospital or outside
imaging network. This means more personal and caring service.