Nuclear Medicine Center Opens in Curitiba
Nuclear medicine is a medical speciality that uses safe, painless techniques to form images of the organs of the body and treat certain types of diseases. Patients receive an oral, intravenous or inhaled administration of a small amount of radioactive material that is mixed with a specialised pharmaceutical product that targets organs, bones or specific body tissues. After administration, images are made which are assessed by nuclear medicine physicians; these images are able to reveal data on both the anatomy and organ function.
Scintigraphy
The nuclear medicine procedure known as scintigraphy is an efficient and secure complementary exam. It can detect early abnormalities in the function or structure of a body organ. This early detection allows treatment of some diseases in early stages, thus increasing the chance of healing and patient recovery.
Some scans (scintigrams) help in the analysis of injuries resulting from strokes or regions of reduced blood flow, leading to memory problems and various types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (SPECT). Other scintigrams show problems in the thyroid (nodules, hyperthyroidism), kidney (renal function, obstruction, presence of scarring), liver, lungs (pulmonary embolism research) and lymphatic system (lymphoscintigraphy).
Myocardial Scintigraphy
Among the many types of scintigraphy, which should only be recommended by your doctor, Myocardial Scintigraphy performs an analysis of physiological damage to the heart. It evaluates the blood flow of the coronary arteries to the heart muscle, identifying possible coronary obstructions and damage to the heart wall (myocardium), in addition to assessing the size of the heart cavity and measuring the probability of a heart attack.
Osseoscintigraphy (Bone Scan)
Osseoscintigraphy, better known as a bone scan, is sometimes requested by oncologists for the analysis of bone metastases (especially with prostate, breast and lung cancers) and the staging of primary bone tumors. It is also requested by orthopaedic surgeons for the evaluation of joint pain in cases of arthrosis, arthritis, back pain, stress fractures (common in athletes) and the study of infection or loosening of prostheses, especially in the knee and hip.
Nuclear Medicine Opens
According to Dr Taiza Zukovski, responsible for scintigraphy procedures in the Nuclear Medicine Centre of Paraná, there are almost a hundred different nuclear medicine tests available today, including diagnosis and treatment of tumors and functional analysis of all the body’s major organ systems. For example, Radioiodine therapy is the part of nuclear medicine dedicated to treating some cases of hyperthyroidism and certain types of thyroid cancer.
The nuclear medicine apparatus installed at the Nuclear Medicine Centre of Paraná, known as gamma cameras, are of the latest design and feature two special detectors capable of capturing the image of the radioactive materials in the organs of interest, while ensuring excellent quality, speed and patient comfort. Boasting 45 years of experience, a team of highly skilled doctors and technicians and modern equipment, the Nuclear Medicine Centre of Paraná, opened its new headquarters this month.
For More Information: CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Nuclear Medicine Centre of Paraná, 1379
Rua Roberto Barrozo, Bom Retiro. Phone: 41 3022-5050
www.centrodemedicina.com.br
