NM 3263 - Morphological Correlations I

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the NM 3263 Morphological Correlations lecture, focusing on clinical indications, imaging types, patient preparation, and related terms.

Clinical Indication

The medical reason for performing an exam; what the clinician is attempting to diagnose, rule out, or follow.

Contraindication

A factor or condition that indicates an exam should not be performed or should be done with caution due to risk outweighing benefits.

Patient Preparation

Steps taken before the exam, which include verifying the order, assessing pregnancy/breastfeeding status, hydration, and removing metal from the patient.

Routes of Administration

Intravenous (IV) is the standard route for bone radiopharmaceuticals like Tc-99m MDP/HDP.

Planar Image

A single static projection image taken with a fixed count level, such as AP pelvis.

Whole-body Image

A continuous scan of the entire body acquired by moving the patient table under the gamma camera.

Dynamic Imaging

A rapid series of sequential images used to evaluate tracer flow and blood pool.

SPECT Image

Tomographic images reconstructed from multiple rotating gamma camera projections.

PET Image

Tomographic images formed from detecting coincident annihilation photons, often combined with CT for anatomical detail.

SPECT vs Planar Imaging

SPECT has better contrast and is more effective for detecting subtle lesions, but requires longer acquisition times.

3-Phase Bone Scan

A protocol comprising flow, blood-pool, and delayed skeletal imaging phases used to assess perfusion and bone turnover.

Flare Phenomenon

Increased trend in imaging indicating increased uptake due to healing and recalcification after treatment for bone metastases.

Cold Spots

Areas of decreased uptake on a bone scan, often associated with avascular necrosis or purely lytic lesions.

Hot Spots

Areas of increased uptake on a bone scan, commonly associated with fractures, tumors, or infections.

NaF-18 Bone Scan

A PET scan that offers higher spatial resolution and faster imaging but is less widely available and more costly than Tc-99m scans.

Hydration Purpose

To enhance renal clearance of tracer, improve contrast, and reduce radiation dose to the bladder and gonads.

Image Quality Factors

Include camera distance, patient positioning, and presence of external materials affecting scan results.

Prosthesis Loosening Assessment

Evaluation comparing blood flow, pool patterns, and delayed uptake to diagnose mechanical loosening or infection.

Superscan

A pattern with very intense diffuse skeletal uptake and minimal soft-tissue activity, often seen in metastatic or metabolic conditions.

Factors Indicating Poor Imaging

Include patient rotation, bladder fullness, hydration status, and presence of external objects affecting image clarity.