Nuclear Medicine of the Skeletal System

The objective of this course is to provide an overview of the various Nuclear Medicine studies for the Skeletal system. The course will provide information on the reasons for ordering the various exams and demonstrate the basis of how to interpret the exams and images. Clinical correlates with other imaging studies and diagnostic tests will be presented.

• •Identify the indications and clinical applications for common nuclear medicine skeletal studies including bone scintigraphy, SPECT, and PET imaging
• •Interpret skeletal scintigraphy images and recognize normal variants, artifacts, and pathological findings
• •Understand the underlying principles of radiopharmaceutical uptake and biodistribution in skeletal nuclear medicine
• •Compare and contrast nuclear medicine findings with conventional radiography, CT, and MRI for musculoskeletal conditions
• •Evaluate bone metabolism and osteoblastic activity through nuclear medicine studies to support clinical decision-making
• •Recognize common pathologies including fractures, infections, malignancies, and metabolic bone disease on nuclear imaging
• •Apply knowledge of radiation safety and dosimetry considerations in skeletal nuclear medicine referrals