Positron Emission Tomography - Essay Example

Emission Tomography (ET) Emission Tomography is a medical imaging branch that comprises of Position Emission Tomography Techniques (PETT) and the Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). The Emission Tomography images the characteristics of a physiological body by use of radioactive materials. For example, the metabolism of glucose, concentration of receptors and the flow of blood in the body can be spatially distributed by the Emission Tomography. In addition, Emission Tomography is used to locate areas affected by coronary artery in the heart, to identify tumors in the body, and to analyze drug’s influence in the brains of persons.

Radionuclide Imaging PrinciplesEmission Tomography is applicable in the diagnosis of human diseases. The primary steps in the study of clinical Emission Tomography Imaging include.The production of radiopharmaceutical, the acquisition of data based on gamma-ray detection, radiopharmaceutical administration and the reconstruction of images.Radioactive DecayThe nucleus of an atom has nucleons and the protons collectively known as nucleon. The mass number is the total number of nucleons present in a nucleus.

A nuclide has the following composition, Atomic number denoted by Z, the neutron number denoted by N and the mass number denoted by A. isotopes are atomic species having identical properties in chemical composition (Z) but different mass numbers (A). The atom’s outermost orbital electrons are involved in the chemical reactions and the chemical behavior will not change when the compound is labeled with radioactive isotope. In addition, the nuclear radioactive characteristics are not affected by the chemical composition of the atom.

When a small volume of a system comprises of numerous particles that are confined together, then the system becomes unstable. An unstable nucleus then becomes stable by transforming itself through emission of particles and photons. This process is what is termed as radioactive decay, and when the nuclides undergo through a similar process, it is called radionuclide. The radioactivity studies form the basis to understand the atomic nucleus. Initial unstable nucleus in the decay of radioactive nuclides is known as the parent and daughter is the final nucleus that is more stable.