The role of radiation physics in nuclear medicine

Nuclear medicine is a fast-growing and dynamic specialty; in recent years with the widespread use of positron emission tomography (PET), PET combined with computed tomography (CT), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-CT, and new applications in radionuclide therapy, this discipline asks for continuous updating of nuclear medicine professionals on various aspects of the changing trends. Nuclear medicine has grown from the initial in vitro tests to advanced methods, allowing the imaging of organ function and thus becoming an important diagnostic tool. In fact, until now no other method than scintigraphy has been available to evaluate myocardial blood flow in stress and rest conditions or to evidence bone metastases.