Instrumentation for dynamic studies

Although it is possible to perform dynamic studies using equipment as simple as a single collimated sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) detector connected to a count rate meter and pen chart recorder, the results obtained with such equipment have a number of inherent errors associated with them. Such equipment is inexpensive and relatively easy to use for most studies but its application is limited. The equipment of choice is a scintillation camera with an associated nuclear medicine computer that can be used to capture the data and for subsequent data manipulation and analysis. The step from single probe and ratemeter to scintillation camera and computer is a major one, but is unavoidable if the results achieved are to have any diagnostic value. A number of specialized pieces of equipment are available, but these must be regarded with a certain degree of circumspection where developing nations are involved. Scintillation cameras can be used for a large range of nuclear medicine studies both dynamic and static; they have reached a high level of reliability; field service is generally available from the major manufacturers in most countries; and training in the use of scintillation cameras is more readily available. This paper will discuss some of the performance characteristics of a scintillation camera/nuclear medicine computer combination that make it suitable for dynamic studies. (author). 24 refs, 1 tab