Field Of Nuclear Medicine example essay topic

The role of the radiologist is one that has undergone numerous changes over the years and continues to evolve a rapid pace. Radiologists specialize in the diagnoses of disease through obtaining and interpreting medical images. There are a number of different devices and procedures at the disposal of a radiologist to aid him or her in these diagnoses'. Some images are obtained by using x-ray or other radioactive substances, others through the use of sound waves and the body's natural magnetism. Another sector of radiology focuses on the treatment of certain diseases using radiation (RSNA). Due to vast clinical work and correlated studies, the radiologist may additionally sub-specialize in various areas.

Some of these sub-specialties include breast imaging, cardiovascular, Computed Tomography (CT), diagnostic radiology, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculo skeletal, neuro radiology, nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology, radiobiology, and Ultrasound (Schenter). After spending a vast amount of time on research and going to internship at the hospital, I have come to realize that my passion in science has greatly intensified. Furthermore, both experiences helped to shape up my future goals more prominently than before, which is coupled with the fact that I have now established a profound interest in radiology, or rather nuclear medicine. For as long as I remember, I only had one dream in mind, which was to become a doctor when I grow up. As I grew older, my dream did not change; in fact, it only grew more significant. However, the only aspect of my dream that did change was the type of field that I wanted to pursue.

At first, I honestly did not have an inkling of an idea as to what kind of a type of doctor I wished to become. Then, I started to lean towards pediatrics and / or neurology. Now, on the other hand, I decided that I want to study nuclear medicine in medical school. This enlightening revelation came about as I began to volunteer in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center. My time spent there has had an amazing impact on me because I believe that this was the time that I truly realized my dream.

Nuclear medicine is medical specialty that uses radioactive substances, or radio pharmaceuticals, combined with imaging techniques to diagnose and treat injury or disease. This particular branch in radiology is probably the only field I know of thus far that applies to all science, such as chemistry, biology, and physics. With that noted, I was inclined to learn more about it because of my love for science in general, and knowing what I know now is all due to my mentor at the hospital. My mentor is a renowned physician in the Department of Nuclear Medicine. He paved the way for me to realize that this is what I truly want for my future.

Due to my mentor, I learned that the field of nuclear medicine emerged in the 1930's, when researchers began producing radioactive phosphorus in a machine called a cyclotron and using it to treat patients with blood disorders. The invention of the nuclear reactor in 1940 enabled scientists to generate nuclear substances (including those used in medicine) with far greater ease. A significant step in nuclear medicine occurred in 1946, when treatment with radioactive iodine completely stopped the spread of thyroid cancer in a patient. The earliest imaging devices were invented in the 1950's, but complex diagnostic applications were not possible until computers were integrated with these systems in the 1960's. The advent of PET and MRI technology in the 1970's transformed the field, enabling physicians to record the structure and function of virtually every organ in the body-including the brain and spleen, the gastrointestinal tract, and even developing tumors.

Radiopharmaceuticals emerged as a specialized field in the 1980's, yielding the development of new radioactive compounds for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Taking all this information into consideration, I became fully aware that nuclear medicine is unique because it documents function as well as structure. For example, nuclear medicine allows physicians to see how a kidney is functioning, not just what it looks like. Most other diagnostic imaging tests, in comparison, reveal only structure. Nuclear medicine procedures are performed to assess the function of nearly every organ (Schenter).

The applications of nuclear medicine are numerous. Nuclear imaging can detect the narrowing of blood vessels-an early warning sign of possible heart disease or stroke. It can show the rapid absorption of iodine that characterizes hyperthyroidism (a disease of the thyroid gland); the spread of cancer cells to bone; and the function of the nervous system in a patient with a degenerative brain disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease. In order to obtain board certification in nuclear medicine, physicians must complete a one-year general clinical internship followed by a two-year residency in the specialty (RSNA). Although some doctors practice nuclear medicine as a full-time specialty, many more physicians in such fields as radiology, pathology, and internal medicine use aspects of nuclear medicine in their work. Overall, my interest in nuclear medicine is at its peak currently, which is most likely due to my science research project for Intel.

My ideas for this particular project were based on my knowledge in nuclear medicine. My research topic, deep-vein thrombosis (a blood-clot in the deep-veins of the body), actually transpired from a list of impending projects that my mentor provided me with when I first started volunteering last year. I worked very hard on this project and I even gained some recognition, but all in all, my reason for participating in Intel competition has to do with my dream of becoming a physician in nuclear medicine in the near future. I hope to successfully finish high school, university, and medical school with a Master's Degree (MD) before crossing all boundaries and working to attain my Physician's Degree (PhD) in radiology (nuclear medicine). Of ri, D (2000).

Diagnosis and Treatment of Deep-Vein Thrombosis. Western Journal of Medicine; 173: 194-197. Wells, Philip S., Anderson, David R., Rodger, Marc et al (2003). Evaluation of D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Suspected Deep-Vein Thrombosis.

New England Journal of Medicine; 349: 1227-1235.