MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

DMI283  2008 Fall – 2012 Fall

Nuclear Medicine PET II

1.

In reference to the indications for positron imaging, discuss why this type of nuclear medicine study would be preferable to, or complement other nuclear medicine procedures or diagnostic modalities in various cases. (I)

2.

Describe the radiopharmaceuticals used for positron imaging including the physical and chemical properties, biorouting, dose preparation, and route and method of administration. (I)

3.

Discuss the physical or pathological conditions or medications that could contraindicate or interfere with positron imaging. (I)

4.

Describe precautions and potential adverse reactions to radiopharmaceuticals. (I)

5.

Related dose range for positron imaging and the resulting radiation dose to various organs and tissues. (I)

6.

Describe the preparation of the patient for positron imaging. (II)

7.

Describe the procedures for positron imaging including equipment, protocol, dose and administration technique, administration-to-acquisition times, acquisition parameters, standard positioning and views, and special imaging adaptations. (III)

8.

Describe the procedure for data processing and image formatting. (III)

9.

Identify and potential pitfalls with basic procedure and processing. (III)

10.

Compare and contrast selected interventions and procedures including vasodilators, psychological stress studies, and sensory stimulation studies. (IV)

11.

Describe the normal distribution and normal variants seen in positron imaging as recognized on printed images. (V)

12.

Describe various artifacts that can occur during positron imaging as identified on printed images. (V)

13.

Discuss common causes of false-negative and false positive positron imaging. (V)

14.

Discuss the diagnostic and prognostic value of positron imaging. (VI)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

DMI283  2008 Fall – 2012 Fall

Nuclear Medicine PET II

I. Position Imaging

A. Indications

B. Radiopharmaceuticals

1. Tracers

a. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)

b. Oxygen-15 water

c. Nitrogen-13 ammonia

d. F-18 Sodium Fluoride

e. C-11-Chloride

f. Rb-82

g. NaF Sodium Flouride

h. Other

2. Physical and chemical characteristics

3. Preparation

a. Dose range and route of administration

b. Biorouting

c. Dosimetry

4. Contraindications and adverse reactions

a. Physical condition

b. Interfering studies

c. Interfering drugs

d. Precautions

e. Adverse Reactions

II. Preparation

A. Patient preparation

B. Consent

C. Equipment

1. Cameras and collimators

a. Dedicated PET

b. Integrated PET/CT

2. Ancillary equipment

3. Monitoring devices

4. Computers

III. Basic Procedure and Processing

A. Protocols

B. Dose administration and technique

C. Acquisition parameters

D. Positioning and views, including adaptations

E. Data processing, including co-registration and 3-dimensional volumetric display

1. Dedicated PET and Integrated PET/CT

2. iterative reconstruction and attenuation correction

F. Image formatting

G. Pitfalls

IV. Interventions and Procedures

A. Vasodilators (acetazolamide)

B. Psychological stress studies

C. Sensory stimulation studies

D. Others

V. Image and Data Interpretation

A. Normal

B. Normal variants

C. Abnormal

D. Artifacts

VI. Diagnostic/Prognostic Value of Study

A. Outcomes

B. Treatment decision

C. Prognostic risk factors based on diagnosis