Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine

Introduction

The Nuclear Medicine unit originated in 1964 as a subunit under the Department of Radiotherapy at Hospital Kuala Lumpur. In January 1993, it transitioned to become a subunit of the Department of Medicine. Finally, on April 1st, 2006, it gained independent status and was officially recognized as its own department.

Initially equipped with a Thyroid Uptake Machine and a Rectilinear Scanner, the department received a gamma camera (Searle LFOV) from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1980, which was later decommissioned in 1990 due to irreparable damage. Another gamma camera (single head, SPECT capable) was procured in 1988.

Currently, the department houses four gamma cameras: PICKER PRISM 2000 (dual head, SPECT capable), ADAC VERTEX PLUS (dual head, SPECT capable), and two Siemens E-Cam (dual head, SPECT capable). In late 2006, a PET/CT and Cyclotron center, a branch of nuclear medicine, was established and officially inaugurated at Putrajaya Hospital in November 2006.

The Nuclear Medicine Department offers both diagnostic and therapeutic services utilizing radioactive substances, employing safe, effective, and specialized techniques of high quality.

Services

The services provided are categorized into treatment and investigations:

A. Treatment

1. Radioactive Iodine (Iodine - 131) for:
a. Patients with relapse/resistant thyrotoxicosis
b. Thyroid cancer patients

Regular reviews are conducted in the thyroid clinic operated by the department.

2. Yitrium-90 radioimmunotherapy for relapsed or resistant Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

3. Radiosynovectomy using P-32 in Hemophiliac patients with refractory hemarthrosis

B. Investigations

Scans (Imaging Investigations)

1. Bone Scan
2. Renal DTPA Study
3. Renal DMSA Study
4. GIT Bleeding Study
5. Meckel's Study
6. HIDA Scan
7. Lung Scan
8. Myocardial Perfusion Study
9. MUGA Scan
10. Iodine-131 Whole Body Scan
11. Gallium Scan
12. Liver scan
13. Brain scan
14. Thyroid scan
15. MIBG scan
16. Spleen Scan

PET/CT imaging

1. Red Cell Mass Estimation
2. Red Cell Survival/Sequestration Study
3. Dicopac Test - temporarily suspended
4. GFR Estimation

Contact Information

Tel: 603 - 2615 5555 ext 5836/7090
Fax: 603 - 2615 5714

Email: BNLee@hkl.gov.my