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Radionuclide imaging and therapy (A-level only)

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Question 3

A patient presents with a neck lump and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, suggesting a thyroid nodule that may be hyperfunctioning (a "hot nodule"). Three types of scans are available to investigate the thyroid gland:

  • a radionuclide scan (using a gamma camera with a 99mTc^{99\text{m}}\text{Tc}99mTc radiopharmaceutical)
  • an ultrasound scan
  • a CT scan of the neck

The thyroid is a highly vascular, superficial endocrine gland in the neck.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option. In your answer you should:

  • refer to the physical principles and the type of information (structural vs functional) obtained from each scan
  • identify other factors that should be considered
  • justify the scan(s) you would recommend to fully evaluate both the structure and activity of the nodule.
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Markscheme

Radionuclide imaging and therapy (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Radionuclide imaging and therapy (A-level only)

23 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Radionuclide imaging and therapy (A-level only), covering Imaging techniques (A-level only), Half-life (A-level only), Gamma camera (A-level only), Use of high-energy X-rays (A-level only), Use of radioactive implants (A-level only), and Imaging comparisons (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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