Scintillografi

Scintillografi, also known as scintigraphy, is a nuclear medicine imaging technique that visualizes the distribution of radiopharmaceuticals within the body to assess organ function and physiology. A small amount of a radioisotope bound to a biologically active compound is administered to the patient, and a gamma camera detects the gamma rays produced as the tracer localizes in tissues. The resulting images reflect functional processes rather than detailed anatomy.

Imaging can be performed as planar scans or as tomographic studies such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT); SPECT, especially when combined with CT (SPECT/CT), provides three-dimensional localization and better anatomical context. The choice of radiopharmaceutical depends on the organ or system of interest, for example technetium-99m labeled compounds for bones, liver or lungs; iodine-123 or technetium-based tracers for the thyroid; agents like sestamibi or thallium for myocardial perfusion; and various tracers for renal, hepatobiliary, or inflammatory imaging.

Common indications include evaluation of suspected bone metastases, thyroid function and structure, myocardial perfusion and heart function, renal perfusion and drainage, hepatobiliary disorders, and sentinel lymph node mapping in cancer. Scintigraphy is valued for providing functional information that complements anatomical imaging from CT or MRI.

Safety considerations include relatively low radiation exposure because radiopharmaceuticals have short half-lives and doses are minimized. Limitations include lower spatial resolution compared with CT or MRI and dependence on the biological behavior of the tracer, which can affect uptake and image interpretation. Scintillography has been in clinical use since the mid-20th century and remains a cornerstone of nuclear medicine.