Main types of examinations

Main types of examinations

Thyroid scintigraphy

The thyroid is a gland located in the neck, in front of the trachea, whose function and anatomy can be easily explored by scintigraphy.

Myocardial scintigraphy

This is an examination to visualise the perfusion of the cardiac muscle (myocardium).

It is a method of choice for exploring coronary disease.

The scintigraphy allows, in a non-invasive way, to highlight the ischemic zones during an effort or the necrotised areas after an attack for example.

Information about muscle function, heart volume, and ability to contract can also be obtained.

Bone scintigraphy

Bone scintigraphy reveals diseased areas characterised by increased osteoblastic metabolism (bone under construction).

It allows the diagnosis of fractures, pathologies of the athlete (cracks, periostitis), algodystrophy, inflammatory diseases of the skeleton, as well as primary or secondary bone tumors (metastases).

Renal scintigraphy

Renal scintigraphy is indicated in:

- the diagnosis of pyelonephritis,

-the investigation of scars after pyelonephritis,

- in the assessment of urinary flow (congenital malformations, obstruction), etc.

Pulmonary scintigraphy

Pulmonary scintigraphy consists of exploring lung circulation and/or pulmonary ventilation.

Two techniques are distinguished:

- pulmonary centilation scintigraphy performed by inhalation of a gas or aerosol,

- and pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy performed by intravenous injection.

Its indications are the investigation and the follow-up of acute pulmonary embolisms, the investigation of thromboembolic disease (repeated pulmonary embolisms), etc.

Brain scintigraphy

Cerebral perfusion scintigraphy reflects the functioning of neurons.

This examination is indicated in patients who have has vascular accidents, or patients with memory problems.

The Datscan^® examination allows images to be made of the distribution of Dopamine carriers in patients showing syndromes of Parkinson's disease.