Scintigraphy
Scintigraphy is a method of radionuclide diagnostics that allows detecting functional changes in the human body at the initial stages of their development During the procedure, a substance containing radioactive isotopes is injected into the patient’s vein, which, thanks to the blood flow, quickly reach the desired internal organ or system. After about half an hour, they take a series of pictures using a gamma camera that captures radioactive radiation.
The information from the study is processed using a computer program. Thus, the doctor learns data about the size, location (topography), shape and structure of the analyzed area, functional capabilities of organs. The radiation dose depends on which area is to be scanned.
What problem does it solve?
the method of scintigraphy is used to detect oncological diseases, cancer metastases;
to diagnose many chronic diseases of internal organs associated with changes in the structure of the organ, and with changes in its normal function.
In what cases is it used
Bone scintigraphy (osteoscintigraphy) allows you to detect pathological processes occurring in the bone tissue, where the processes of decay or construction occur. It can be supplemented with single-photon emission computed tomography in combination with computed tomography (SPECT/CT).
Scintigraphy of the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands is a study of the organ and the blood flow supplying it with the introduction of radioactive isotopes (iodine) and subsequent fixation of their spread. It is used to detect diseases of the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands that occur with a change in function (thyroiditis, diffuse toxic goiter, nodular goiter, adenoma, hyperplasia, etc.).
Static liver scintigraphy is a technique used to diagnose liver diseases, performed to determine the size and shape of the organ, as well as violations of the anatomical and morphological structure in hepatitis, cirrhosis and other diseases.
Dynamic nephroscintigraphy – the study allows you to evaluate kidney function, separate function of each kidney, diagnose the severity of renal disorders in various diseases, determine the level of obstruction to the flow of urine (pelvis, ureter) and the patency of the urinary tract.
Advantages:
it is an indispensable method in identifying and assessing the prevalence of oncological processes;
the examination procedure takes from 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the type of study;
recognition of the pathological process in the early stages of the disease, i.e. before the disease has had time to manifest itself;
obtaining information about the function of the organ and the degree of its damage at the earliest stages;
in most cases, scintigraphy does not require special preparation, and only pregnancy is a contraindication to scintigraphy;
the radiopharmaceutical that is administered during the study usually does not cause any side effects, does not cause allergic reactions and is quickly excreted from the body after the study;
the scanning procedure proceeds comfortably and painlessly;
the radiation load during scintigration is comparable to radiographic studies.
