This rotation serves as an introduction to the medical uses of radioactive materials. Its aim is to provide practical experience in the performance and interpretation of the common nuclear medicine procedures. Exposure to advanced metabolic functional imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET) is available.

Students will follow routine radionuclide procedures from the preparation and administration of the radiopharmaceutical through to the interpretation and reporting of results. Daily imaging reading conferences will provide the framework for discussion of the role of nuclear medicine in clinical practice.

It is expected that by the completion of this rotation, the student will:

• Be familiar with the most commonly prescribed indications for radionuclide procedures
• Understand the complementary roles of nuclear medicine and diagnostic imaging in solving various diagnostic problems
• Understand the physiological basis of the common organ visualization and dynamic function tests
• Understand the basic principles for safe handling of radioactive materials.

MS3 students please contact the course director for permission prior to registering.

Prerequisite: MS3 or MS4

Modules: B-L Blocks: 1b-4

Number of students: 1

Locations: VA Medical Center (V)

Course Director: Partha Sinha, MD, MBA, FACNM, FACR