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What is a Gamma Camera?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A gamma camera is a piece of medical equipment that is capable of detecting gamma radiation. The radiation can be recorded on film or displayed on a monitor. These devices are used in medical imaging studies that are designed to show doctors what is happening inside a patient's body. Such procedures are minimally invasive and can be performed in a hospital or clinic.

For an imaging study with a gamma camera, a patient ingests or inhales a tracer material that emits gamma radiation. The tracer can also be injected. It may include a substance that is designed to tag particular types of tissue in the body, or it can be introduced to a specific region of interest, such as the heart or the lungs. The gamma camera is positioned over the patient and as the tracer material travels through the body and emits radiation, the camera picks it up.

A PET scanner utilizes gamma cameras.
A PET scanner utilizes gamma cameras.

A crystal inside the head of a gamma camera scintillates in response to radioactive particles, producing a burst of light that is picked up by sensors located behind the crystal. The camera constructs an image based on this information. When a single camera is used to make two dimensional images, the process is known as scintigraphy.

It is possible to use multiple gamma cameras to generate a three dimensional image. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans both use this technology. The cameras may be positioned in several locations around the patient and moved as the study proceeds to generate a series of images that can be developed into a three dimensional representation of the interior of the patient. Three dimensional medical imaging provides doctors with an opportunity to view as much of the area of interest as possible.

PET scans may be used to locate malignant tumors as well as track growth.
PET scans may be used to locate malignant tumors as well as track growth.

Gamma cameras can be used in diagnosis and to follow up on the course of treatment. Medical imaging studies are used to identify cancers, congenital abnormalities, and other problems inside a patient's body. The images can be used to plan a course of treatment, such as chemotherapy to attack cancers or surgery to correct heart valve defects. Images are also useful for monitoring patients in treatment as the images can be used to see if the patient is responding to the treatment.

Radiation can be dangerous. Nuclear medicine like the use of a gamma camera for diagnosis is supervised by someone with specialized training and it is only recommended when it is medically necessary.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

SarahGrove

@rebelgurl28 – That is wonderful to hear. It was very difficult for our little son who had to have the gamma camera imaging done several years ago.

Our family doctor detected a very loud heart murmur and we had to take him to a children’s cardiology specialist; because a valve defect was suspected they recommended this procedure.

rebelgurl28

One of the newer gamma ray cameras is the ultra fast nuclear gamma camera. The Rhode Island Hospital here in Providence was one of the first locations in New England to have this camera.

This camera is an important advance in nuclear medicine, because it can reduce from 50 to 75 percent of the time that the patient is exposed to the radiation.

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    • A PET scanner utilizes gamma cameras.
      By: sonap
      A PET scanner utilizes gamma cameras.
    • PET scans may be used to locate malignant tumors as well as track growth.
      By: Trish23
      PET scans may be used to locate malignant tumors as well as track growth.
    • Gamma cameras can be used to plan a course of treatment to attack cancers.
      By: tawesit
      Gamma cameras can be used to plan a course of treatment to attack cancers.