Course Description
Nuclear medicine is a specialized area of radiology that utilizes a small amount of radioactive material, or radiopharmaceuticals/tracers, to image organ function and internal structures. Nuclear medicine imaging involves functional imaging, molecular imaging, and emission tomography compared to structural imaging such as computed tomography (CT), X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and sonography. Structural imaging modalities are primarily used to image and study the anatomy, whereas nuclear medicine imaging is used to study organ and tissue function. Nuclear medicine scans are used to detect many conditions and diseases, which are primarily performed with diagnostic and therapeutic applications. As the use of nuclear imaging has advanced significantly since it was first developed, a review of the basic principles and concepts of this modality is beneficial for all radiologic technologists who operate this equipment and perform these studies.

This CE course will compare the advantages and disadvantages of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and hybrid nuclear medicine/molecular imaging/emission imaging. In addition, the physics of emission tomography including photon emission and interactions, as well as various types of acquisition systems such as SPECT and PET imaging will be reviewed. Methods of image reconstruction, including filter back-projection, iterative, and quantitative reconstruction methods, will be outlined and clinical applications of emission tomography and advances in hybrid imaging will also be discussed. Finally, the differences between various radioactive materials and radiopharmaceuticals used for each type of imaging, the imaging equipment used, and the future direction of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging will be summarized.

Learning Objectives
After reading the content, the participant should be able to:

• EXPLAIN the differences between diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear imaging.
• COMPARE structural imaging, including computed tomography, X-ray, and sonography, to functional nuclear imaging.
• IDENTIFY the nuclear medicine isotopes used in SPECT, PET, and hybrid imaging.
• IDENTIFY the clinical applications for molecular imaging.
• EXPLAIN the differences in the reconstruction techniques and processes used in nuclear imaging.
• SUMMARIZE the future applications of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.

Categories: CT, Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Dosimetry

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 17 out of 22 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 2.0 ARRT Category A credits.

This program is approved by AHRA, a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM), approved by the ARRT to grant Category A CE credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit.

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.