General comparison of functional imaging in nuclear medicine with other modalities

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Semin. Nucl. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-2998(87)80003-X· OSTI ID:6595366

Adam, W E

New (noninvasive) diagnostic procedures in medicine (ultrasound (US), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), computed tomography (CT), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)) create a need for a review of the clinical utility of functional imaging in nuclear medicine. A general approach that is valid for all imaging procedures is not possible. For this reason, an individual assessment for each class of functional imaging is necessary, taking into account the complexity and sophistication of the various imaging procedures. This leads to a hierarchical order: first order functional imaging: imaging of organ motion (heart, lungs, blood); second order functional imaging: imaging of excretory function (kidneys, liver); and third and fourth order functional imaging: imaging of metabolism (except excretory function). First order functional imaging is possible fundamentally, although with limitations in detail, by all modalities. Second order functional imaging is not possible with US. Third and fourth order functional imaging is a privilege of nuclear medicine alone. Up to now, NMR has not proven clinically useful to produce metabolic images in its true sense. First and second order functional imaging of nonradioactive procedures face severe disadvantages, including difficulties in performing stress investigations, which are essential for coronary heart disease, limited capability for true quantitative information (eg, kidney clearance in mL/min), side effects of contrast media and paramagnetic substances, and high costs. 58 references.

• Research Organization: Ulm Univ., Donau, Germany, F.R.
• OSTI ID: 6595366
• Journal Information: Semin. Nucl. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Semin. Nucl. Med.; (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN SMNMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
HEART
IMAGE PROCESSING
ISOTOPES
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
MEDICINE
MUSCLES
MYOCARDIUM
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PROCESSING
RADIOISOTOPES
RESONANCE