Week#8: Society of Nuclear Medicine

There exist a society of nuclear medicine, according to http://www.snmmi.org/AboutSNMMI/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=11395&RDtoken=37969&navItemNumber=671,in March 1953, sharing an interest in forming a nuclear medicine organization, five radiologists, a cardiologist, two internists, a physicist, an engineer, and a nuclear medicine physician from the Pacific Northwest met in Spokane, Washington. They founded the Society of Nuclear Medicine; all interested in nuclear medicine would be eligible for membership.

Thomas Carlyle was chosen as the first president. The first meeting of the society was held in Seattle, Washington, in 1954. The society soon became a national organization, and the original organization became the society's Pacific Northwest Chapter.

In 2012, the society changed its name to the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging to embrace the growing field of developing probes (radioactive or otherwise) for imaging molecular processes both in the clinic and in basic research.

Over the years, the SNMMI has sponsored various continuing education sessions dedicated to the history of nuclear medicine/molecular imaging and the society itself. 

In addition, in 2013, through the leadership of the SNMMI History Committee, a "Wall of Remembrance" was created. The wall is on display during the Annual Meeting and features short obituaries of some of the most prominent leaders in the field. Each year, the list of individuals recognized on the wall changes.

This society accept new members and they have an annual meeting. 

Week#7: Why Radioisotopes?

According to http://www.cnea.gov.ar/Produccion-Radioisotopos the radioisotopes are elements (isotopes) that emit radiation and are used for different purposes. Each of these isotopes have different characteristics such as the type of radiation emitted (alpha, beta, gamma) and the period of semi-decay, among others.

Applied in the area of health, radioisotopes have two main uses:

• To diagnose: Radioactive isotopes of elements like carbon, iodine and molybdenum are used to explain the operation of certain organs. They are called "tracers". After being administered to the patient (orally or intravenously), generate a contrast that allows obtaining a series of images with a gamma camera or positron emission tomography (PET). The main applications of these techniques are related to the detection of cancer in thyroid, liver, gall bladder, intestines, heart and lung, among others.
• To treatment: Ionizing radiation is used to kill cancerous lesions. To do this, the tumor is exposed to doses from external sources of radioactivity (X-ray equipment, radiation therapy with cobalt-60 source) or internal (brachytherapy, metabolic radiotherapy). 

Just as there are radioactive elements in nature, there are also others that are artificially created by man making use of certain techniques an example of these are the radioisotopes.

The radioisotopes are the agent that are used in nuclear medicine and it is the principal ingredient both diagnosis and treatment. Without it the nuclear medicine it is impossible. 

Week#6: The Beginning

According to http://www.news-medical.net/health/History-of-Nuclear-Medicine.aspx , researchers believe the birth of this medical specialty probably occurred somewhere between 1934 when artificial radioactivity was first discovered and 1946 when radionuclides were first produced for medical use by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Nuclear medicine first became recognized as a potential medical specialty in 1946 when it was described by Sam Seidlin in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Seidlin reported on the success of radioactive iodine (I-131) in treating a patient with advanced thyroid cancer. Later, the use of I-131 was expanded to applications such as thyroid gland imaging, hyperthyroidism treatment and quantification of thyroid function.

By the 1950s, the clinical use of nuclear medicine had become widespread as researchers increased their understanding of detecting radioactivity and using radionuclides to monitor biochemical processes. Several researchers worked tirelessly to establish the efficacy, safety and diagnostic and therapeutic potential of this speciality.

In 1971, the American Medical Association acknowledged nuclear medicine as an official medical specialty and in 1972, the American Board of Nuclear Medicine was formed.

Today, there are approximately 100 different nuclear medicine imaging procedures which provide information about nearly every organ system. Nuclear medicine is now an integral part of patient care and is extremely valuable in the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of numerous medical conditions.

The nuclear medicine it is a breakthrough for science and medicine. Even when its beginning it is not clearly, the truth is that the important is than someone discovered it. This type of medicine can save lives and it is the important.