Metropolitan General's Nuclear Medicine Laboratory houses an in vivo Studies Laboratory, which is specifically dedicated to conducting scintigraphy procedures.
Scintigraphy is a diagnostic procedure that assesses both the morphology and functional status of organs. It involves the administration of specialized substances called radiopharmaceuticals, which are delivered intravenously to patients. The radiopharmaceuticals used contain a small quantity of a radioactive isotope combined with specific drugs based on the organ being studied. These radiopharmaceuticals are safe, as the administered radiation dose is extremely low, posing no risk to the patients or their friends and family.
Following administration, the radiopharmaceutical concentrates in the affected area by emitting radiation, which is then visualized using a specialized imaging technique called SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography) with a γ-camera. This allows for the identification and visualization of specific points of interest. In nuclear medicine, open sources of radiation are utilized, where the patient emits the information that is captured by the γ-camera, as opposed to x-ray machines that emit radiation directly for the purpose of examination.
Metropolitan General accommodates the advanced Symbia Evo Excel γ-camera system from Siemens, which is state-of-the-art and well-suited for various nuclear medicine examinations such as static, dynamic, whole-body, and tomographic scans. This system has been enhanced with additional functions and programs to further enhance its capabilities. The system offers outstanding image quality, enabling enhanced detection and more precise characterization of lesions. This capability reduces the need for additional studies, as it provides reliable and accurate results. Furthermore, the ergonomic design of the system enhances the examination experience for individuals who are obese, have mobility issues, or experience claustrophobia. This ensures greater comfort and accessibility during the imaging process.
Scintigraphy procedures include:
- Stress/rest myocardial scintigraphy, Gated SPECT studies
- Thyroid scan
- Parathyroid scan
- Renal scan, static-dynamic
- Bone scan, whole-body – 3-phase)
- Lung scan; perfusion, ventilation
- Brain: Brain perfusion
- DAT scan, CSF flowmetry
- Gastrointestinal bleeding scan
- Gastric emptying scan
- Lymphoscintigraphy: Sentinel lymph node mapping
- Rest radionuclide ventriculography
The Nuclear Medicine Laboratory accommodates a fully equipped Hot Lab and a dedicated shielded waiting area for patients undergoing nuclear procedures.
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 08:00-16:00
Contact Numbers: (+30) 210 650 2569
