Radionuclide tracers are now widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Nuclear medicine techniques are non-invasive with little or no associated morbidity. Such techniques enable the early detection of disease and measure fundamental rather than structural abnormalities in organ systems. It is generally recognized that the practice of nuclear medicine is best considered from a clinical viewpoint. This emphasizes the place of nuclear medicine in patient care and only presents scientific and technical details where necessary. Written by international specialists, the book includes chapters on the organ systems which are investigated by means of radionuclide procedures and gives details of specific protocols for all techniques which are described. Each chapter is developed from a consideration of the clinical problems to which the nuclear medicine techniques are applied. This new edition has been revised and updated, particularly in respect of new radiopharmaceuticals and imaging protocols and is illustrated.;This book should be of interest to nuclear medicine clinicians in training, radiologists and clinicians with a special interest in nuclear medicine.

Nuclear medicine is the bridge between a particular clinical problem and a relevant test using radionuclides. It began as a minor technical tool used in a few branches of medicine, notably endocrinology and nephrology. However, throughout the world it has become established as a clinical discipline in its own right, with specific training programmes, special skills and a particular approach to patient management. Although the practicing nuclear medicine physician must learn a great deal of basic science and technology, a sound medical training and a clinical approach to the subject remains important. It is for this reason that in the text there has been an attempt to approach the subject from a clinical standpoint, including where necessary relevant physiological material.