Handbook of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging for Physicists: Radiopharmaceuticals and Clinical Applications, Volume III (Series in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering) 2021 Original PDF

This state-of-the-art handbook, the third and final in a series that provides medical physicists with a comprehensive overview into the field of nuclear medicine, focuses on highlighting the production and application of radiopharmaceuticals. With this, the book also describes the chemical composition of these compounds, as well as some of the main clinical applications where radiopharmaceuticals may be used.

Following an introduction to the field of radiopharmacy, three chapters in this book are dedicated towards in-depth descriptions of common radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals used during diagnostic studies utilizing planar/Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging, in addition to during Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, and, finally, radiotherapy. These chapters are followed by those describing procedures relating to quality control and manufacturing (good manufacturing practices) also encompassing aspects such as environmental compliance. Furthermore, this volume illustrates how facilities handling these chemicals should be designed to comply with set regulations.

Like many pharmaceuticals, the development of radiopharmaceuticals relies heavily on the use of mouse models. Thus, the translation of radiopharmaceuticals (i.e., the process undertaken to assure that the functionality and safety of a newly developed drug is maintained also in a human context), is covered in a later chapter. This is followed by a chapter emphasising the importance of safe waste disposal and how to assure that these procedures meet the requirements set for the disposal of hazardous waste.