With regard to infectious and inflammatory processes, scintigraphic imaging is used to localize foci of a septic nature in patients with fever of unknown origin and to assess the extent and degree of activity of chronic inflammatory diseases at the vascular (vasculitis) and organ and apparatus level (sarcoidosis, amyloidosis).
Diagnostics in internal medicine
Nuclear medicine can provide information in various areas of internal medicine.
Examinations and diagnosis
Scintigraphy/SPECT-CT of the salivary glands
Principal indications
Assessment of salivary gland function (ev. xerostomia, Sjiogren's syndrome). Study of salivary duct obstruction (sialolithiasis).
Examination procedure.
Fasting patient. Intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical coinciding with the start of the examination.
Oral administration of lemon juice to increase salivary flow during the investigation.
Duration of the examination.
Approximately 60 minutes.
Lung perfusion scintigraphy/SPECT-CT
Principal indications.
Evaluation in suspected pulmonary embolism. Distribution and semiquantification of regional pulmonary perfusion in presurgical stage.
Examination procedure.
No fasting required, no specific preparation. Intravenous injection of the radiopharmaceutical coincident with the start of the examination.
Examination duration.
Approximately 30 minutes.
PET/CT 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)
Principal indications
Investigation and localization of inflammatory-septic processes of unknown site. Evaluation of the extent, inflammatory activity, and response to therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases (autoimmune diseases, vasculitis).
Examination procedure
Measurement of blood glucose by needle-puncture of the finger. Intravenous administration of the radiopharmaceutical (18F FDG) after application of saline infusion to ensure sufficient hydration and rapid excretion of the tracer. After an interval of 60 minutes, which is necessary for complete distribution of the radiopharmaceutical, the patient will be asked to empty the bladder. Then the patient is placed on the equipment bed and the investigation is acquired. A second diagnostic session is performed later, 2 hours after tracer administration.
Duration of the examination
2:30 to 3 hours overall.
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The original version is the page in Italian.
