Infrequently Performed Studies in Nuclear Medicine: Part 1

Abstract

Nuclear medicine is a diverse medical field, encompassing a wide range of studies. Many studies are performed on a daily basis, whereas some nuclear medicine studies are performed on a more infrequent basis. The following article is the second article in a 2-part series on infrequently performed studies in nuclear medicine. The procedures reviewed include CSF shunt imaging, brain death scintigraphy, testicular scanning, quantitative lung perfusion studies, lymphoscintigraphy, and salivary gland scintigraphy. This article may be of use to technologists faced with the task of performing one of these uncommon studies. After reviewing the article, the reader should be able to list the indications for each study, list the recommended doses, describe the proper method of dose administration for each study, discuss patient preparation for each procedure, and describe issues that may arise when performing these studies.

Significance of splenic uptake on somatostatin receptor imaging studies

“…Standard radionuclide splenic imaging studies are the procedure of choice to image spleen, however, they have certain limitations. Tc-99m heat damaged RBC study is laborious, time consuming, and requires strict sterile technique [45]. Insufficient or excessive damage to RBCs can also cause suboptimal study.…”

The clinical value and histopathological correlation of lacrimal scintigraphy in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome

“…The method is easy to perform, noninvasive and provides better contralateral comparison [12][13][14]. LS has been used to evaluate tear dynamics in different eye diseases for a long time.…”

“…Lacrimal scintigraphy (LS) is a simple, noninvasive and physiological method for evaluating the patency of the lacrimal system [11][12][13][14]. Although LS has been used to evaluate the tear dynamics in different eye diseases for a long time [15][16][17][18][19], there are few reports on the evaluation of LS findings in patients with dry eye syndrome [20,21].…”

Lacrimal scintigraphy in the supine lateral head position

“…he purpose of this study was to examine with lacrimal scintigraphy [1][2][3] whether using a supine side-down eye position inhibits the flow of an eye drop to the nasolacrimal passage in lacrimal scintigraphy ( Figure 1). …”