MONGOLIA TO USE NUCLEAR TOMOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE IN MEDICINE

At the Diagnostic nuclear medicine department of the State First Clinic, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday for the single-photon emission computed tomography equipment and computed tomography (SPECT/CT) that has been purchased in framework of the technical cooperation project of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The acquisition was financed by IAEA’s technical cooperation fund and the Prime Minister’s package. At the ceremony present were Health Deputy Minister J.Amarsanaa, Atomic Energy Authority Chief N.Tegshbayar and others. Blending two essential and complementary medical imaging technologies on one innovative scanner provides the ability to capture two types of medical images with one machine–single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT) all at the same time. SPECT can be used to complement any gamma imaging study, where a true 3D representation can be helpful, e.g., tumor imaging, infection (leukocyte) imaging, thyroid imaging or bone scintigraphy. Because SPECT permits accurate localization in 3D space, it can be used to provide information about localized function in internal organs, such as functional cardiac or brain imaging.