Medical Centre
Diagnostic
Kraków 1 Złotej Jesieni Estate (Level 0)

 POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY (PET), combined with computed tomography (CT), is one of the most effective methods of diagnostic imaging, used primarily in oncological conditions, as well as in selected cardiological and neurological conditions. This innovative method enables oncologists to precisely determine the stage of cancer, locate the primary site of certain tumours and assess whether the disease has recurred, or the extent of any recurrence. PET-guided examinations facilitate the assessment of the effectiveness of treatment, for example in chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and allow doctors to identify minor changes or consider adjusting the treatment regimen; in certain cases of cancer, they also enable a definitive diagnosis to be made, which was previously difficult to achieve using other imaging techniques. 

Types of tests:

• Oncological PET-CT – using the radioactive isotope 18F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)
• PET-CT with PSMA – using gallium-68 (Ga-68) for the diagnosis of prostate cancer
• PET-CT DOTA (PET using somatostatin analogues) – using gallium-68 (Ga-68) for the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) 
• Neurological PET-CT (selected conditions) 
• Cardiac PET-CT (selected conditions) 
• Oncological choline (labelled with fluorine-18F for imaging prostate and kidney cancer). 

NUCLEAR MEDICINE SCANNING (SPECT), or single photon emission computed tomography, is a complex diagnostic method in the field of nuclear medicine, used in clinical practice. This method is painless and involves obtaining images of organs, and above all assessing their function, using small doses of radioactive isotopes (radiotracers). A radiotracer is a type of contrast agent containing an isotope that emits gamma radiation (most commonly technetium Tc99m with a half-life of 6 hours), and the resulting scintigraphic examination is a recognised, safe diagnostic method that enables appropriate treatment procedures to be undertaken. 

The SPECT method is widely used in diagnostics: in endocrinology, oncology, and for certain conditions of the nervous, urinary or musculoskeletal systems. It allows for the examination of cerebral blood flow and the distribution of brain receptors, and, with the aid of so-called onco-specific tracers, enables the diagnosis of brain tumours. It makes it possible to detect functional disorders of the organ under investigation, often even before morphological changes occur, and facilitates the establishment of an accurate diagnosis. It also allows for the monitoring of disease progression and the assessment of treatment efficacy.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE EXAMINATIONS: 

• bone scintigraphy,  
• resting and stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (treadmill exercise and pharmacological tests),  
• dynamic renal scintigraphy,  
• dynamic renal scintigraphy with a captopril test,  
• thyroid scintigraphy,  
• parathyroid scintigraphy,  
• liver scintigraphy,  
• lymphoscintigraphy (localisation of the sentinel lymph node). 

Treatment of mild thyroid conditions

Radioisotope therapy is used to treat thyroid conditions using iodine (I¹³¹). 

This method is recommended for patients with hyperthyroidism caused by thyroid inflammation – known as Graves’ disease – the presence of single or multiple nodules, or resulting from other conditions. Another group comprises patients with goitre – an enlarged thyroid gland in which nodules may be present. Treatment with radioactive iodine is an alternative to surgery and the treatment of choice for people for whom the risks of surgery are increased. The decision on the appropriate treatment is made by the attending doctor in consultation with the patient.

ISOTOPE THERAPY: 

• Isotope therapy for benign thyroid conditions (consultation –> thyroid examination and uptake scan, administration of the isotope, follow-up appointment).