SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) using a Gamma Camera is a highly specialized imaging technique used in nuclear medicine to evaluate the function and blood flow of organs in the body. Unlike standard imaging (like X-rays or CT), SPECT scans show how organs are working, not just what they look like.
🔹
How It Works:
A radioactive tracer is injected into the bloodstream (commonly Technetium-99m or similar isotopes).
The tracer emits gamma rays as it travels through the body.
A gamma camera rotates around the patient, detecting these rays and forming detailed 3D images.
These images are processed to assess how well specific organs or tissues are functioning.
🔹
Common Applications:
Cardiac SPECT: To evaluate blood flow to the heart muscle and detect coronary artery disease.
Brain SPECT: To help diagnose stroke, seizures, dementia, or brain injuries.
Bone SPECT: To detect tumors, fractures, infections, or arthritis.
Renal and liver scans: To evaluate organ function, tumors, or obstructions.
🔹
Procedure:
The test usually takes 1–2 hours, including waiting time after tracer injection.
The scan is painless and non-invasive.
The patient lies still on a table while the gamma camera moves around the body.
🔹
Advantages:
Provides functional imaging, unlike standard CT/MRI
Early disease detection before structural changes occur
Useful in cancer staging, heart disease, and neurological conditions
SPECT Gamma Camera Scans are vital for detecting and monitoring complex conditions, offering detailed insight into organ health, blood flow, and tissue activity—far beyond what traditional scans can provide.