Multipurpose scintillation camera

The scintillation camera is a nonscanning instrument for displaying the distribution of radioactive isotopes. It can be used, for example, to show abnormalities in the thyroid gland with I-131, the size, shape and location of kidneys with Hg-203 Neohydrin or to locate brain tumors either with Hg-203 Neohydrin or with the new positron emitting agent, Ga-68 EDTA. For many applications, the scintillation camera has higher sensitivity than conventional isotope scanners, and will produce pictures in less time or with a smaller quantity of isotope present. Alternatively, it produces better pictures if the conventional dosage and exposure factors are retained. Because of the short exposure time, and because the scintillation camera is continuously sensitive to all areas within its field of view, it is well adapted to taking rapid sequences of still pictures or time-lapse motion pictures of subjects in which the distribution of radioactivity is changing. For example, time lapse pictures have been taken showing I-131 Rose Bengal Bengal being excreted from the liver of children with liver disease and of I-131 hippuran going through the kidneys of patients suspected of kidney disease