Learning objectives

Nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures can be described as molecular imaging; they are in fact performed to identify physiological or pathological processes at the cellular and molecular level within the body. Nuclear medicine therapeutic procedures are performed using radioactive materials for the purpose of treating diseases or providing palliative care. Graduates of the CdS TRMIR will be able to perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for nuclear medicine / molecular imaging, determining the adequacy of each procedure, ensuring compliance with the patient's preparation requirements for each procedure, providing the patient with appropriate behavioral instructions appropriate for each procedure, respecting the current regulations on ionizing radiation, preparing the equipment according to the guidelines for each procedure, preparing the radiopharmaceuticals according to the guidelines for each procedure, evaluating the image quality. NUCLEAR MEDICINE EQUIPMENT, GAMMA CAMERAS, PET - QUALITY CONTROLS To provide basic knowledge on the equipment currently used in a nuclear medicine department, as Mo99/Tc-99m and Ge68/Ga68 generators, dose calibrators, gamma cameras, PET scanners and relative quality assurance programme. CONVENTIONAL AND PET PROCEDURES IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE The aim of the course is to introduce students to the main diagnostic techniques in Nuclear Medicine by introducing basic clinical notions. In particular, the clinical reasons determining the choice of a specific investigation and a precise radiopharmaceutical in order to provide a response to the diagnostic question are discussed in more details. Particular attention is given to the preparation of the patient, the way in which images are acquired and their processing. The student must be able to evaluate from the images the technical quality of the acquisition, recognizing altered radiopharmaceutical distributions deriving from labelling abnormalities or incorrect preparation of the patient, poor image quality caused by incorrect use of acquisition parameters or patient movement. The diagnostic impact of the new hybrid PET-TC and SPECT-TC equipment is presented, focusing attention on the fundamental role of the radiographer in the management of these devices. ATOMIC PHYSICS, RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY The purpose of the module is to provide students with a clear vision of the type of radiation sources used in nuclear medicine, of how it is used and the specific reasons for the choices of radionuclides, of how to monitor radiation, how they interact with matter, what are the design requirements and expected behaviors for internal and external workers and for population and patients. DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS Ideal features for diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides; Optimal characteristics of a radiopharmaceutical; Routes of administration; Radiochemistry; Radiochemistry of technetium and preparation of kits marked with Tc99m; Long-lived radionuclides; Radionuclide generators; Preparation of positron emitters and radiopharmaceutical synthesis; Quality control of radiopharmaceuticals; Special considerations for radioiodine; Specific radiopharmaceuticals: Specific chemical and physical properties - Biodistribution, uptake, excretion, redistribution - Preparation methods - Indications for use - Dosimetry to critical organs and target organs - Quality controls - Interfering substances - Adverse reactions MODULO TECNICHE DI MEDICINA NUCLEARE The aim of my teaching is to make know the students the role of nuclear medicine technician, from preparation, management and quality control of radiopharmaceuticals, diagnostic techniques and practical applications of conventional nuclear medicine and PET/CT, and equipment management. Additionally, given the information for the management of the radioactive patient, the contamination of the operator and/or the environmental contamination radioactive, also they are given the behavioral regulations of nuclear medicine technicians.