Scintigraphy

A diagnostic test in which a two-dimensional picture of a body radiation source is obtained by the use of radioisotopes. To take a specific example, cholescintigraphy (scintigraphy of the biliary system) is done to examine the biliary system and diagnose obstruction of the bile ducts (for example, by a gallstone or a tumor), disease of the gallbladder, and bile leaks. For cholescintigraphy, a radioactive chemical is injected intravenously into the patient. The chemical is removed from the blood by the liver and secreted into the bile that the liver makes. The chemical then goes everywhere that the bile goes — into the bile ducts, the gallbladder, and the intestine. By placing a camera that senses radioactivity (similar to a Geiger counter) over the patient’s abdomen, a “picture” of the liver, bile ducts and gallbladder may be obtained which corresponds to where the radioactivity is within the bile-filled liver, ducts and gallbladder. Other scintigraphic tests are done similarly.

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A diagnostic procedure consisting of the administration of a radionuclide with an affinity for the organ or tissue of interest, followed by recording the distribution of the radioactivity with a stationary or scanning external scintillation camera. See gamma camera.

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scin·tig·ra·phy sin-'tig-rə-fē n, pl -phies a diagnostic technique in which a two-dimensional picture of internal body tissue is produced through the detection of radiation emitted by a radioactive substance administered into the body <myocardial \scintigraphy>

scin·ti·graph·ic .sint-ə-'graf-ik adj

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scin·tig·ra·phy (sin-tigґrə-fe) the production of two-dimensional images of the distribution of radioactivity in tissues after the internal administration of radionuclide, the images being obtained by a scintillation camera. scintigraphic adj