scintigráfia

Scintigraphy is a nuclear medicine imaging technique used to assess organ function and detect abnormalities. It involves administering a small amount of a radioactive tracer, also known as a radiopharmaceutical, to the patient. This tracer is designed to accumulate in specific organs or tissues based on their physiological activity. As the tracer decays, it emits gamma rays, which are detected by a special camera called a gamma camera or scanner.

The gamma camera captures the distribution of the tracer within the body, creating images that highlight areas of increased or decreased tracer uptake. These variations in uptake can indicate disease processes. For example, in bone scintigraphy, increased uptake in a particular area may suggest a fracture or a tumor. In thyroid scintigraphy, the images can reveal whether the thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, or if there are nodules present.

Scintigraphy is a non-invasive procedure with minimal side effects. The radioactive tracers used are typically eliminated from the body within a short period. The diagnostic information obtained from scintigraphy is often complementary to other imaging modalities like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, providing valuable insights into the functional status of organs and tissues. It is widely used in the diagnosis and management of a variety of conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and various types of cancer.