Physics and Radiobiology of Nuclear Medicine

This book is a concise but complete presentation of the knowledge required of candidates for the American Board of Nuclear Medicine and American Board of Radiology examinations, as well as the Registry Examination in Nuclear Medicine that is required of Nuclear Medicine Technologists. The book contains 14 chapters. Chapters 1 to 6 deal with the basic properties of the atom and nucleus, radionuclidic decay, statistics of counting, production of radionuclides and interaction of radiation with matter. In chapters 7 to 11, various instruments such as ionization chambers, scintillation well counters, thyroid probes and gamma cameras, tomographic scanners (SPECT and PET) are described. The principles of operation and various parameters affecting the operation of these instruments are included in these chapters. Chapter 12 presents a brief account of radiobiology, highlighting the effects of radiation on man. Chapter 13 describes the calculation of internal dosimetry. Various regulations related to radiation protection are presented in Chapter 14. Included at the end of the book are several appendices on various constants, a glossary of terms used in the text and answers to mathematical problems given at the end of each chapter. Physics and Radiobiology of Nuclear Medicine includes many self-assessment and review questions.