Dynamic studies with radiopharmaceuticals

Many applications of dynamic function studies can be evaluated by understanding the basic implications of the three relatively simple aphorisms discussed here. These aphorisms have considerable implication in the design of new radiopharmaceuticals that are intended for use in clinically dynamic function studies. It is important to appreciate that dynamic function studies measure physiological processes and not pathological entities. Although abnormal physiology frequently correlates with an observed pathology, it seems equally important to define disease on the basis of abnormal pathophysiology rather than simple static anatomical pathology. The understanding of both the time-dependent processes of the physiology being observed and the time-dependent phenomena of radionuclide transit should lead to improved clinical use of radiopharmaceuticals. It is obvious that considerable research remains to be done not only in the development of radiopharmaceuticals but also in an improved understanding of the physiological processes they detect