Pawan Kalyan

  Because   MRI   uses powerful magnets, the presence of metal in your body can be a safety hazard if attracted to the magnet. Even if not attracted to the magnet, metal objects can distort the   MRI   image. Before having an   MRI , you'll likely complete a questionnaire that includes whether you have metal or electronic devices in your body. Unless the device you have is certified as  MRI  safe, you might not be able to have an  MRI . Devices include: Metallic joint prostheses Artificial heart valves An implantable heart defibrillator Implanted drug infusion pumps Implanted nerve stimulators A pacemaker Metal clips Metal pins, screws, plates, stents or surgical staples Cochlear implants A bullet, shrapnel or any other type of metal fragment Intrauterine device If you have tattoos or permanent makeup, ask your doctor whether they might affect your  MRI . Some of the darker inks contain metal. Before you schedule an  MRI , tell your...

  What is nuclear medicine? Nuclear medicine  is a medical specialty that uses radioactive tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) to assess bodily functions and to diagnose and treat disease. Specially designed cameras allow doctors to track the path of these radioactive tracers. Single  Photon  Emission  Computed Tomography  or SPECT and Positron Emission Tomography or PET scans are the two most common imaging modalities in nuclear medicine. What are radioactive tracers? Radioactive tracers are made up of carrier molecules that are bonded tightly to a radioactive atom. These carrier molecules vary greatly depending on the purpose of the scan. Some tracers employ molecules that interact with a specific protein or sugar in the body and can even employ the patient’s own cells. For example, in cases where doctors need to know the exact source of intestinal bleeding, they may radiolabel (add radioactive atoms) to a sample of red blood cells taken from the patient. They...