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All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur

About Nuclear Medicine

About Department

Introduction

Nuclear Medicine is a branch of medical science where radioactive material is used for diagnosis and treatment of variety of diseases. This includes many types of cancers, heart disease, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological disorders. Nuclear medicine procedures can pinpoint molecular activity (functional information) within the body and hence they have ability to identify diseases in their earliest stages. 
In recent years a hybrid technology is available which provides both anatomical and functional information simultaneously. This fusion technology has shown a great potential in the management of malignancies and it has been incorporated as a standard of care in management of cancer patients. The commonly used instruments are SPECT/CT (Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography) and PET/CT (Positron emission tomography/computed tomography). Various radiopharmaceuticals like 99mTc MDP and positron emitter like 18F-FDG (F-18 Fluorodeoxy glucose) are available for imaging. 
The department is constructed as per the norms of the regulatory body (Atomic energy regulatory board -AERB) and in daily practice. All necessary documentation is maintained as per the AERB regulations. Department of Nuclear medicine aims for providing excellence in the areas of clinical practices, academic research, education and training by providing  highest quality  facilities available to the patients and providing an environment that stimulates intellectual and professional development. The radiation professionals are well qualified and follow strict protocols as per the SOP’s (standard operating procedures) to reduce the radiation exposure with optimal imaging standards.

Scope of services and future plans:

Single photon emission tomography (SPECT/CT) will be available soon in department of Nuclear Medicine. SPECT permits 3D reconstruction of data, increasing the sensitivity and anatomical localization of lesions in the skeleton, brain and heart. On commencing SPECT/CT System, the department will be offering multitude of services like Tc-99m Renal scans for GFR estimation, 99mTc MDP Bone scan, Multi gated acquisitions (MUGA) for cardiac assessment, 99mTc macro aggregated albumin (MAA) scans for lung function, hepatobiliary Scan and I-131 thyroid scan.
The state of art PET/CT machine will be available soon in Department of Nuclear Medicine AIIMS, Nagpur. PET/CT is used in initial staging, evaluation of treatment response, restaging of various diseases like lymphoma, lung cancer and in carcinoma breast etc.
Low dose I-131 therapies for thyroid disorders will be available soon. An isolation ward for high dose radionuclide therapies (HDT) patient services is also being constructed and these services shall be initiated soon.
The department aims to provide training facilities to post graduate students and technicians by conducting teaching/training courses and workshops, CMEs (national and international) & webinars.

Frequently asked questions :

  1. Is radiation dangerous (health hazard)? -  The quantity of medicine (radioactive material) used in diagnostic nuclear medicine is well within prescribed limits of safety. Hence, risk is negligible compared to benefits.
  2. Can Nuclear Medicine used in treatment of disease? – Disease like Hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, Neuro-endocrine tumors, prostate cancers can be treated in Nuclear medicine, however it requires special facility. This facility will be prepared at AIIMS, Nagpur.
  3. There are various preparations required before nuclear medicine scans which varies according to different scans. In general, it is advised to drink a lot of fluid and urinate frequently so radiation exposure can be minimized.

Department office: Room no. 225 2nd floor OPD building, AIIMS Nagpur

OPD timings:

  1. Monday to Friday 9am to 5 pm
  2. Saturday 9 am to 1 pm