Template:POTD/2012-07-04
Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) of a wholebody positron emission tomography (PET) acquisition of a 79 kg (174 lb) female after intravenous injection of radiopharmaceuticals, an example of nuclear medicine, a medical specialty involving the application of radioactive substances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. This technique allows physicians to image the extent of a disease process in the body, based on the cellular function and physiology, rather than relying on physical changes in the tissue anatomy. This particular scan was performed as part of a tumor diagnosis prior to applying radiotherapy. Besides normal accumulation of the tracer in the heart, bladder, kidneys and brain, liver metastases of a colorectal tumor are clearly visible within the yellow and red area in the right upper abdomen.Image: Jens Langner