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October 9, 2014

Karen Yip, Nuclear Medicine Technologist at Burnaby Hospital is one of a group of dedicated technologists across the Lower Mainland that uses radioactive materials to diagnose and treat disease.

Celebrating Nuclear Medicine Week: October 5-11

Nuclear Medicine is a medical imaging specialty that uses radioactive materials (radioisotopes) in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Training in this specialized field is offered at BCIT, where technologists learn how to prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals and operate gamma cameras. Course curriculum includes; anatomy, physiology, pathology, physics, chemistry, radiation sciences, nuclear pharmacy, Nuclear Medicine methodology and instrumentation.

Radiopharmaceuticals (pharmaceuticals tagged with a radioisotope) are administered by injection, orally or inhalation and are localized by the specific organ or physiological system being investigated. Images are acquired using gamma cameras. SPECT/CT cameras are hybrid scanners that combine 3-dimensional physiological data with anatomical data from a CT, increasing the diagnostic capabilities.

Nuclear Medicine images show how a tissue, organ or system is functioning, which assists in identifying the presence or extent of disease. These images provide the necessary information for physicians to make the best decisions for the patient.

Did you know?

  • Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) and bone scans are the most common Nuclear Medicine diagnostic exams
  • Radioactive Iodine (I131) therapy used treat hyperparathyroidism and thyroid cancer is the most common Nuclear Medicine therapy.
  • There are over 50 different diagnostic and therapeutic procedures available in the lower mainland Nuclear Medicine departments

Nuclear Medicine has responded to the increasing awareness and concerns about radiation exposure from medical imaging procedures. Advances in hardware and software have allowed doses of radiation to be significantly lowered. Nuclear Medicine is a safe, non-invasive and invaluable diagnostic tool.

Thank You

Thank you to all of our dedicated Nuclear Medicine Technologists serving throughout the Lower Mainland and across VCH and Fraser Health! Your attention to quality assurance ensures patient safety and your caring touch allow patients to fully benefit from the latest medical diagnostic and treatment technologies.

For more information contact: Rhonda Hollerbaum, Regional Practice Lead, Nuclear Medicine