Evaluation of factors affecting nuclear medicine examinations

This dissertation focuses on the significant role of research techniques within nuclear medicine, such as PET and SPECT, in understanding physiological processes in the human body. These techniques are of great value for the diagnosis, staging, treatment, and monitoring of diseases. The research focuses on factors that influence the accuracy and reliability of these methods, including patient characteristics, medication use, and analytical methods.
The first part focuses on patient-related factors in breast cancer patients. Age, BMI, and tumour palpability are predictive factors for visualizing the sentinel lymph node. The second part investigates the influence of medication, such as the binding of radiotracers to dopamine transporters and somatostatin receptors. Results suggest that medication use does not always affect imaging and sometimes even increases tracer uptake. The third part emphasizes the importance of analytical methods, particularly in measuring the transcapillary escape rate of albumin. The research suggests that timing of blood sampling and the use of specific analytical models can influence results.
Overall, the dissertation provides valuable insight into factors that influence various research techniques within nuclear medicine. It underscores the importance of optimizing procedures for accurate and reliable diagnosis and treatment, thereby contributing to the advancement of this field in modern medicine.