Radionuclide imaging (using a gamma camera) and ultrasound scanning are two key diagnostic modalities in medical physics, each with distinct clinical advantages and physical principles.
Explain the biological risks associated with administering radioactive tracers to patients for radionuclide imaging. Discuss three ways by which the selection of the radionuclide and the design or operation of the imaging system minimize these risks to the patient and medical staff.
A patient suspected of having early-stage bone metastases (secondary cancer in the bones) can be investigated using either a radionuclide bone scintigraphy scan (using a gamma camera) or standard planar X-ray imaging. Suggest, with reasons, which is the better procedure for this investigation.
When ultrasound travels across a boundary from muscle to bone tissue, there is a substantial increase in acoustic impedance. This results in 36.0% of the intensity of the incident ultrasound being reflected at the boundary.
Calculate the acoustic impedance of the bone tissue.
