Study Guide For The Brain

  1. Regarding the types of radiopharmaceuticals used to imaging the brain consider the following: path physiology, penetration of the BBB, disease that can be identified, rCBF relation, and SPECT vs. planar imaging. Answers are found: Non-penetrating and Penetrating of the BBB

  2. Define the blood brain barrier (BBB) and note the reasons why only certain materials can pass through to the neuron. Answer

  3. For those radiopharmaceuticals that do not pass the BBB be able to identify certain diseases: mets, glioblastoma, CVA, brain death, and abscess. Answer

  4. What is the sieve effect and how does renal excretion improve target to background with radiopharmaceuticals that do not pass the BBB. Answer

  5. Compare ECD to HMPAO - compounding and their physiology. Answer

  6. For those radiopharmaceuticals ( HMPAO/ECD) identify how they image the following diseases (as per your notes): AH, vascular disease (TIA/CVA), Seizure, psychiatric disorders, head injuries, and brain death, brain tumors, and the use of AZT in brain imaging. Answer

  7. Define the types of hydrocephalus and what it looks like on a cisternogram. Answer

  8. Compare 111In-DPTA to 99mTc-DTPA for the use of a cisternogram. Answer

  9. Note the biopathway of a tracer injected into the lower spine. Answer

  10. Identify the procedure used to determine if a patient has rhinorrhea. Answer

  11. Understand the pros and cons on why FDG is not the most ideal brain imaging agent. (mostly discussed in class)

  12. Identify the role of 201Tl, 99mTc-sestamibi, and 67Ga for imaging diseases in the brain. Answer

  13. From what you have learned at MCV understand the difference between a normal and abnormal DATS scan.

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