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What is nuclear medicine?
In order to examine organs and bones and observe chemical interactions within the body, nuclear medicine uses radioactive materials and nuclear compounds. Nuclear medicine equipment monitors radiation sources inside the body and uses that data to create an in-depth image or video. In order to treat a condition or disorder, some types of nuclear medicine machines also emit additional radiation to a particular area. Nuclear medicine allows medical professionals to see body parts that are invisible to conventional radiological imaging devices.
Medical professionals inject the patient with radioactive material to begin a nuclear scan, then wait for it to spread throughout the body. Then, they employ a specialized camera to detect radiation waves and use them to assess how well organs, bones, and cells are functioning.
What is radiology?
In the medical specialty of radiology, images of the muscles, bones, and organs are captured using medical imaging technology. Radiology equipment is used by medical professionals to create energy that interacts with the body and creates images. Professionals in radiology then analyze the image to spot anomalies and determine the illness.
Radiology tools are also used by medical professionals to monitor a patient’s body changes as they occur during procedures. Radiology equipment is crucial for minimally invasive procedures that lower patient risk because it allows doctors to see inside a patient without using a camera or opening the body for surgery.
Types of radiology imaging
A variety of imaging techniques are used by radiology to identify medical conditions and treat patients. These include:
What is the difference between nuclear medicine vs radiology?
The main distinction between radiology and nuclear medicine is that radiology uses external energy waves to develop images while nuclear medicine uses internal radiation waves from within the body. The two fields also have differences in these key areas:
Types of nuclear imaging
Nuclear imaging devices come in a variety of forms, each with a unique purpose. The following are some typical procedures you might use in nuclear imaging:
Duties for nuclear medicine technologist vs radiologic technologist
Nuclear medicine technologists and radiologic technologists are both members of the medical community who operate medical imaging equipment, so they share a number of responsibilities. Nuclear medicine technologists and radiologic technologists both work under a doctor’s supervision. Some of their shared responsibilities include:
The preparation and injection of radioactive tracers is a unique responsibility for nuclear medicine technologists. While radiologic technologists use computers and scanners, they use specialized cameras.
Nuclear medicine technologist vs radiologic technologist education
Nuclear medicine technologists and radiologist technologies have similar education requirements. Typically, both positions call for an associate’s degree in applied science. Some schools offer programs in nuclear medicine technology or radiology. Aspiring radiologic and nuclear medicine technologists can improve their credentials by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a science or medical-related field.
Although they take slightly different certification exams depending on their specialty, both types of professionals are required to be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Exams for certification measure a candidate’s understanding of how to use imaging technology, interact with patients, and uphold workplace safety. The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board also offers additional certifications for nuclear medicine technologists.
Other jobs in radiology and nuclear medicine
Jobs as a radiologic technologist and a nuclear medicine technologist are typically entry-level positions in these fields. There are many other positions that involve medical imaging. To be eligible for advanced medical roles, you can specialize in a particular type of imaging technology or earn additional credentials. If either of these fields interests you, you might think about developing your career by applying for positions in related fields like:
Day in the Life of a DOCTOR – NUCLEAR MEDICINE
FAQ
Is MRI radiology or nuclear medicine?
High-definition, detailed images of internal body structures are produced by MRI using radio waves and a strong magnetic field. This is a form of non-ionizing radiation. Images of the functioning of internal organs are produced by nuclear medicine using an ionizing radioactive tracer that is typically injected into the blood.
How is nuclear medicine different from radiography or CT?
Nuclear imaging techniques demonstrate the physiological function of the tissue or organ under investigation, whereas conventional imaging modalities like computed tomography (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scans) demonstrate only the anatomical structure.
How are nuclear medicine scans different from other scans?
Radiation is used in nuclear medicine and radiology. In nuclear medicine, the body is exposed to radioactive substances known as radiopharmaceuticals or radioisotopes. In radiology, X-rays enter the body from outside.
