Understanding Radiation Exposure from Mammograms and Bone Scans: Key Concerns
Radiation exposure values for simultaneous bone scans and mammography? 1. After undergoing a mammogram with four images taken from different angles on the same side, the radiation dose is approximately 0.7 mSv, which typically refers to the total dose for the entire mammogram. Wh...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Ms. Angel, 1. The radiation dose from a mammogram is related to factors such as the energy intensity of the machine, the distance of exposure, and the duration of the procedure. Generally, the radiation dose from a mammogram is approximately 0.7 millisieverts (mSv). To kno...[Read More] Understanding Radiation Exposure from Mammograms and Bone Scans: Key Concerns
Understanding Salivary Gland Scintigraphy: Insights and Safety Concerns
Report on Salivary Gland Scintigraphy Examination Hello, Director. I underwent a salivary gland nuclear medicine scan at Kaohsiung Medical University due to my dry mouth condition. The rheumatologist mentioned that everything looks fine, but I would appreciate it if you could exp...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Ray, regarding the report content, due to personal data protection laws, I am unable to obtain your report. Furthermore, clinical physicians rarely rely solely on a single test result to assess a condition; they typically integrate other relevant clinical information to...[Read More] Understanding Salivary Gland Scintigraphy: Insights and Safety Concerns
Impact of Bone Scans on Proximity to Children: Safety Concerns Explained
Bone scans involve exposure to a small amount of radioactive material, which is generally considered safe. However, it is advisable to minimize close contact with children after the procedure to reduce any potential radiation exposure? I underwent a whole-body bone scan on June 2...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Miss Ai Er. The amount of radiation exposure is primarily influenced by three factors: the intensity of the radiation itself, the distance from the radiation source, and the duration of exposure. The radiation intensity of the pharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine is ge...[Read More] Impact of Bone Scans on Proximity to Children: Safety Concerns Explained
Is It Safe to Schedule Mammograms, CT Scans, and Bone Scans on the Same Day?
Contrast agents, radiation, and isotopes? Hello Dr. Lin, the outpatient physician has scheduled a mammogram, a chest CT scan with contrast, and a whole-body bone scan with isotope. The chest CT requires the use of contrast agents, and the whole-body bone scan involves radioisotop...
Dr. Lin Lifang Reply:
Hello, in response to your inquiries: 1. Radiopharmaceuticals do not have renal side effects; theoretically, they do not harm the kidneys, and the likelihood of allergic reactions is quite low. However, contrast agents may cause renal impairment under certain conditions: if you...[Read More] Is It Safe to Schedule Mammograms, CT Scans, and Bone Scans on the Same Day?
Impact of CT Scan Radiation on Kidney Health and Pregnancy Concerns
Computed Tomography Radiation Hello Dr. Zheng: I underwent two contrast-enhanced CT scans of my kidneys within a short span of two days in October 2022 (due to visiting different emergency departments), and I also had a renal dynamic imaging within the following month. I would li...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Ms. Li, regarding the renal dynamic imaging performed in nuclear medicine using Tc-99m radiopharmaceuticals, these agents typically do not affect kidney function. However, the radioactive substances can remain in the body for about 1 to 3 days. Therefore, if the examination...[Read More] Impact of CT Scan Radiation on Kidney Health and Pregnancy Concerns
Impact of Metal Objects During PET Scans: What You Need to Know
The process of positron emission tomography (PET) involves the presence of metal objects? I had a PET scan today, and during the first scan, I forgot to take my keys out of my pants pocket. I was reminded afterward, and I removed them for the second scan. I would like to know if ...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Ms. Lin, I apologize for the delay in responding to your question due to personal reasons. Metal objects like keys can obstruct the passage of radiation in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, resulting in artifacts on the images. It is important to avoid such item...[Read More] Impact of Metal Objects During PET Scans: What You Need to Know
Understanding Salivary Gland Scans: Insights on Results and Diagnosis
Sialography Hello Doctor, my immunologist arranged a salivary gland scan, and the report data is as follows: At 1/15/30 minutes: Right parotid 2.90/6.81/3.52, Left parotid 6.61/15.60/6.37, Right submandibular 6.85/7.78/4.16, Left submandibular 10.1/12/6.2. The doctor's diagn...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Ms. Jade. 1. The nuclear medicine salivary gland examination primarily involves the injection of radiopharmaceuticals to observe the function of the salivary glands. If dry mouth is not due to abnormal salivary gland function, it typically will not interfere with the res...[Read More] Understanding Salivary Gland Scans: Insights on Results and Diagnosis
Understanding PET Scan Results: Key Insights for Breast Cancer Patients
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Report Inquiry Hello Doctor: Before my surgery for breast cancer, the hospital performed a PET scan. *Some minimal hot spots at left axillary nodes (SUVmax.eq=1.47).* A hot spot at the right posterior laryngeal region (SUVmax.eq=4.49).* Mild sym...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Miss Yueyue. This should be your second inquiry article. Your first question's third point refers to the mild symmetrical FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose, the radiotracer used in PET scans) uptake in both breasts. This situation is usually a normal physiological uptake, which...[Read More] Understanding PET Scan Results: Key Insights for Breast Cancer Patients
Understanding Radiation Risks in Nuclear Medicine: Patient Concerns Addressed
Radiation issues My female patient had an MRI of the lungs in December and is scheduled for a nuclear medicine thyroid scan in May. Will this pose any harm to her body? Is there a risk of cellular mutation?
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Miss Peng. According to the literature, low-dose radiation exposure below 100 millisieverts does not increase the risk of cancer, and most nuclear medicine examinations involve radiation exposure below this threshold, so they do not significantly impact human health. If yo...[Read More] Understanding Radiation Risks in Nuclear Medicine: Patient Concerns Addressed
Post-Nuclear Medicine Care: Can You Safely Interact with Family?
Nuclear Medicine After undergoing nuclear medicine treatment for the thyroid, is it necessary to avoid contact with family members at home? Why is that? Should I also sleep in a separate room?
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Miss Mei Mei. Nuclear medicine examinations require the injection of radiopharmaceuticals that contain trace amounts of radioactive isotopes, which may result in minimal radiation exposure to those around you. However, the injected substances will decay over time and will ...[Read More] Post-Nuclear Medicine Care: Can You Safely Interact with Family?
Understanding Gallium-67 Scanning: Radiation Dose Concerns Explained
Gallium-67 inflammation scan Hello Doctor, I apologize for bothering you. I previously inquired about the radiation dose for Gallium-67 inflammation scans, and the information I found online stated it was 3 millisieverts, which is considered very low. However, Dr. Zheng mentioned...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
3 mCi refers to 3 millicuries, which is a unit of radioactivity for radioactive pharmaceuticals. The unit for measuring the radiation dose received by the human body is millisieverts (mSv). The radiation dose from nuclear medicine examinations is influenced by the characteristics...[Read More] Understanding Gallium-67 Scanning: Radiation Dose Concerns Explained
Understanding Radiation Exposure from Nuclear Medicine Scans: What You Need to Know
Radiation Issues Hello, Doctor. In March of this year, I visited a large hospital due to shoulder and neck pain. The doctor arranged for a nuclear medicine whole-body bone scan and an inflammatory tissue scan (whole-body bone scan + Gallium-67 inflammation scan). I would like to ...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Ms. Wen, I apologize for the delayed response due to the busy clinical workload. The radiation exposure dose from nuclear medicine examinations depends on the radionuclide of the injected medication, the dosage, and the excretion of the medication after injection (drinking ...[Read More] Understanding Radiation Exposure from Nuclear Medicine Scans: What You Need to Know
Does I-131 Treatment Affect Kidney Function? Important Considerations
Does iodine-131 harm the kidneys? Hello Dr. Cheng, my family member is scheduled for an I-131 Thyroid Uptake and Scan. The examination order states that they need to take radioactive iodine beforehand. Since my family member's kidney function is not very good and is still un...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Wang, the radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine primarily utilize radiation produced by radioactive isotopes for imaging examinations. The doses required are extremely low, and there is almost no risk of nephrotoxicity, allowing patients with impaired renal func...[Read More] Does I-131 Treatment Affect Kidney Function? Important Considerations
Assessing Bone Scan Results: Is It Bone Metastasis or Avascular Necrosis?
Could you please help me check if this is bone metastasis? The patient was diagnosed with stage 4A tongue cancer on August 30, 2018, and underwent 35 sessions of radiation therapy and 3 cycles of chemotherapy. On March 3, 2021, a new diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer was made, w...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Ms. Liu. A nuclear medicine bone scan is a functional imaging technique commonly used in the diagnosis of bone metastases from cancer. It has the advantage of high sensitivity; however, its specificity for bone metastases is not very high. Other benign lesions that are not...[Read More] Assessing Bone Scan Results: Is It Bone Metastasis or Avascular Necrosis?
Impact of Bone Scans on Early Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Bone scan Hello, I would like to ask if my friend had a bone scan at the hospital on March 25th around noon. I visited her at her home around 5 PM, sometimes maintaining a distance of 1 meter, but at times we sat together. I stayed at her house until about 8:30 PM. Today, March 2...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Miss Yue'er. After the bone scan, the radiation dose around the patient is approximately 0.00006 millisieverts per hour, five hours post-procedure. The radiation dose you would receive from a three-hour exposure is about 0.00021 millisieverts. This radiation dose is w...[Read More] Impact of Bone Scans on Early Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Understanding I-131 Treatment: Concerns About Salivary Glands and Dental Health
Many worries, not sure what to do? Hello, Doctor. During a lecture, a physician from the nuclear medicine department mentioned that the isotope I-131 can lead to decreased saliva gland secretion, which may increase the risk of dental caries. Is this primarily associated with high...
Dr. Zhuang Zhijian Reply:
Hello! Thank you for your inquiry. Here are the responses to your questions: 1. Effects of Iodine-131 on Salivary Glands: Iodine-131 is a radioactive isotope used for diagnosis and treatment, with varying dosages. (1) For whole-body scans, approximately 2-5 mCi is used; (2) for ...[Read More] Understanding I-131 Treatment: Concerns About Salivary Glands and Dental Health
Understanding Radiation Exposure in Myocardial Perfusion Scans: Alternatives Available?
Myocardial perfusion imaging radiation I would like to ask the doctor: How many millisieverts does a single myocardial perfusion scan typically involve? I am quite concerned. Are there any alternative tests that do not involve radiation? Thank you!
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Andrew, a nuclear medicine myocardial perfusion scan typically involves a radiation dose of about 20 millisieverts. Generally speaking, this level of radiation does not significantly increase the risk of cancer, so you need not worry excessively about delaying your diag...[Read More] Understanding Radiation Exposure in Myocardial Perfusion Scans: Alternatives Available?