Following Standard Qualitative (Uniformity, et cetera) Control by the Nuclear Technologist, The Nuclear Technologist Will Then Carry Out Quantitative (TFM) Control Calibration
There is NOT a Single Protocol for FMTVDM Imaging.
The protocol used will depend upon
1) What you are looking for,
2) What type of nuclear camera you have, and
3) What type of nuclear isotopes you have.
From here the nuclear camera with the isotope to be used will quantitatively calibrate the nuclear camera (Planar, SPECT, PET, et cetera) using The Fleming Method (TFM).
TFM is carried out by the nuclear technologist at the beginning of the day.
Once the nuclear camera is calibrated for the specific nuclear camera AND isotope to be used that day, FMTVDM imaging can be carried out on that camera, using that isotope, for all patients undergoing FMTVDM quantitative measurement imaging looking for health problems that can be done using the nuclear camera and isotope for which the TFM calibration has been performed.
The following example - the one most people default to when they think of FMTVDM - BEST imaging - represents the use of a planar nuclear camera and the isotope Sestamibi.
THIS IS ONLY ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW FMTVDM - BEST CAN BE DONE.
The Meaning of FMTVDM Numbers for
Cancer and Infection.
Once people including physicians realize FMTVDM provides them with an absolute quantifiable measurement, they are inclined to think that is all they need. But they would be wrong.
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There are two sets of numbers that must be taken into account with understanding what FMTVDM results mean.
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The first is the absolute maximal count which tells you the most severely diseased area.
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The second is the spread of numbers. Statistically this is referred to as the variance - or the amount of variability present. The more diverse the tissue, the greater the differences in regional blood flow and metabolism.
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The change in maximal count tells you which direction your health is going - better, worse or no change.
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As tissue changes, it will do so in different areas, while other areas remain unchanged. As a result, the variance/variability will become wider. This tells us that CHANGE is happening. The maximal count tells us which direction that CHANGE is happening.
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This is the first information we will see, when you are either getting better or worse; the maximal FMTVDM number will get lower or higher respectively.
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An increase in variability tells us the tissue is changing in the direction of the maximal FMTVDM numbers.
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The next step in the process, will be the tissue becoming consistent - the same type of tissue, with the same type of regional metabolism and blood flow.
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When the variability narrows and your maximum FMTVDM number gets smaller [reduced regional metabolism and blood flow] - you and your tissue are getting healthier.
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When the variability narrows and your maximum FMTVDM number gets larger [increased regional metabolism and blood flow] - you and your tissue are getting sicker.
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Increased variability, things are changing.
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Decreased variability, things are settling in to their new state of health or disease.
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