Division of Nuclear Medicine
Established in 1984, our department has been serving patients for over thirty years. Located on the first floor of the medical building, we offer comprehensive examination services. Currently, our medical diagnostic operations are supported by attending physicians from the Nuclear Medicine Department at Tri-Service General Hospital.
Nuclear medicine is a contemporary field that utilizes small quantities of short-lived radioactive isotopes to visualize physiological and biochemical changes within the body, thereby assisting in both the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Nuclear medicine imaging scans involve the injection of small amounts of radioactive isotope preparations into the body. The distribution of these isotopes varies with physiological and structural changes, resulting in the emission of gamma rays. A scanner collects these rays to produce images that help in understanding the functional and anatomical abnormalities of various body parts. This process assists clinicians in obtaining rapid and accurate diagnoses.
In 2016, we acquired a state-of-the-art single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) scanner, comparable to those used in leading medical centers. Additionally, our nuclear medicine bone scans are enhanced by diagnostic-grade computed tomography, which facilitates comprehensive image fusion technology and three-dimensional reconstruction of lesions. This advancement enables us to gain a better understanding of the condition beforehand and reduces surgical time.
Personnel Introduction:
Skeletal System: Cancer Bone Metastasis – Diagnosis of Bone Fractures, Inflammation, Infection, and Systemic Bone-Related Diseases.
Nervous System:
- Brain Perfusion Scan (Tc99m-ECD Scan): This scan is effective for assessing cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral ischemia.
- Dopamine Brain Scan (Tc99m-TRODAT Scan): This scan is suitable for evaluating conditions associated with dopamine transporter degeneration and aids in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
The Cardiovascular System: Myocardial perfusion imaging, which includes both exercise and resting scans, is an effective method for detecting and evaluating coronary artery disease, as well as for determining the need for cardiac catheterization. Additionally, venous scanning is suitable for assessing deep vein thrombosis.
The Respiratory System: A lung perfusion scan is an effective method for assessing pulmonary embolism and for preoperative functional evaluation prior to lobectomy.
The Digestive System: Includes a spleen scan, which is effective for assessing cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver metastasis, and splenomegaly. Additionally, a gastrointestinal bleeding examination is suitable for detecting and locating bleeding within the intestines or abdominal cavity.
Urinary System:
- Kidney Scan: This procedure is effective for assessing both acute and chronic pyelonephritis caused by urinary tract infections, as well as for evaluating the relative cortical function of each kidney.
- Renal Function Assessment: This assessment is suitable for evaluating kidney function and identifying urinary obstruction.
The Endocrine System: A technetium-99m thyroid scan is an effective method for detecting and locating thyroid nodules, as well as for assessing thyroid function.
Hematologic Tumor and Inflammation Scans: Whole-body tumor and inflammation scans, including Ga-67 tumor surveys, are effective for detecting and locating malignant tumors, as well as for assessing unexplained inflammation.
Lymphography: This procedure is effective for evaluating the function of the lymphatic system and for identifying and locating sentinel lymph nodes associated with malignant tumors.
Future Outlook
In addition to our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and processes of medical services, we plan to install state-of-the-art whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) equipment in the near future. This advanced technology will accurately identify the activity of cancer cells on high-resolution anatomical CT images, thereby providing patients with comprehensive cancer staging and treatment options.
Our medical team comprises one attending physician specializing in nuclear medicine and one resident physician currently training in the Nuclear Medicine Department at Tri-Service General Hospital. Additionally, we have two radiological technologists, both of whom hold certifications in radiation protection personnel, ensuring comprehensive radiation safety for patients during imaging examinations.
- Attending Physician in Nuclear Medicine: 1
- Resident Physician in Nuclear Medicine: 1
- Radiological Technologists: 2
Skeletal System: Cancer Bone Metastasis – Diagnosis of Bone Fractures, Inflammation, Infection, and Systemic Bone-Related Diseases.
Nervous System:
- Brain Perfusion Scan (Tc99m-ECD Scan): This scan is effective for assessing cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral ischemia.
- Dopamine Brain Scan (Tc99m-TRODAT Scan): This scan is suitable for evaluating conditions associated with dopamine transporter degeneration and aids in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
The Cardiovascular System: Myocardial perfusion imaging, which includes both exercise and resting scans, is an effective method for detecting and evaluating coronary artery disease, as well as for determining the need for cardiac catheterization. Additionally, venous scanning is suitable for assessing deep vein thrombosis.
The Respiratory System: A lung perfusion scan is an effective method for assessing pulmonary embolism and for preoperative functional evaluation prior to lobectomy.
The Digestive System: Includes a spleen scan, which is effective for assessing cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver metastasis, and splenomegaly. Additionally, a gastrointestinal bleeding examination is suitable for detecting and locating bleeding within the intestines or abdominal cavity.
Urinary System:
- Kidney Scan: This procedure is effective for assessing both acute and chronic pyelonephritis caused by urinary tract infections, as well as for evaluating the relative cortical function of each kidney.
- Renal Function Assessment: This assessment is suitable for evaluating kidney function and identifying urinary obstruction.
The Endocrine System: A technetium-99m thyroid scan is an effective method for detecting and locating thyroid nodules, as well as for assessing thyroid function.
Hematologic Tumor and Inflammation Scans: Whole-body tumor and inflammation scans, including Ga-67 tumor surveys, are effective for detecting and locating malignant tumors, as well as for assessing unexplained inflammation.
Lymphography: This procedure is effective for evaluating the function of the lymphatic system and for identifying and locating sentinel lymph nodes associated with malignant tumors.
Future Outlook
In addition to our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and processes of medical services, we plan to install state-of-the-art whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) equipment in the near future. This advanced technology will accurately identify the activity of cancer cells on high-resolution anatomical CT images, thereby providing patients with comprehensive cancer staging and treatment options.
Our medical team comprises one attending physician specializing in nuclear medicine and one resident physician currently training in the Nuclear Medicine Department at Tri-Service General Hospital. Additionally, we have two radiological technologists, both of whom hold certifications in radiation protection personnel, ensuring comprehensive radiation safety for patients during imaging examinations.
- Attending Physician in Nuclear Medicine: 1
- Resident Physician in Nuclear Medicine: 1
- Radiological Technologists: 2