Frequency distribution
Since scintigraphy can provide information on most organ functions, it is very well suited as an imaging technique. In addition, the radiation exposure is lower than with X-rays. For this reason, around 60,000 scintigraphs are produced each week in Germany. Most of them are used to examine the thyroid gland.
Diagnosis
Scintigraphy can be used to make various diagnoses. The most common indication for scintigraphy is the examination of the thyroid gland. With the help of the radioactively marked substances, it is possible to determine, for example, hyperthyroidism.
In this case, the tissue would be unusually red, i.e. unusually active, after injection of the tracer. However, a cyst or a malignant tumor (carcinoma) can also be detected. In these cases, too, the tissue would be more metabolically active because a tumor requires a lot of energy.
On the skeleton, on the other hand, one can recognize inflammation or metastases. A rare indication for a scintigraphy is an examination of the lung, heart or kidney. However, a scintigram can also be used to diagnose a possible pulmonary embolism, a narrowing of the coronary arteries (coronary arteries) or a narrowing of the renal arteries.
In addition to making a diagnosis, the scintigraphy can also be used to monitor therapy. For example, the heart is examined to see whether the coronary vessels have dilated after appropriate therapy (myocardial scintigraphy). Or a ventilation scintigraphy is performed to check whether the lungs are properly ventilated during breathing.
Therefore, indications for a scintigraphy are always the verification of a diagnosis. If, for example, the doctor suspects after the patient’s medical history, i.e. the doctor-patient consultation, that the patient may suffer from hyperthyroidism, this initial diagnosis can be confirmed by means of the scintigraphy. To be able to perform a scintigraphy, the patient must follow certain rules to ensure that the diagnosis is safe and reliable.
For example, if a patient is taking medication for hyperthyroidism, he or she must stop taking it before treatment. If the patient does not stop taking the medication, the scintigraphy cannot provide an accurate assessment because the thyroid activity is distorted by the medication. When examining the heart, the patient should come to the examination on an empty stomach, i.e. he should not have drunk or eaten for several hours before the examination.