Which type of imaging is closely associated with the use of technetium-99m?

Technetium-99m is one of the most widely used radioisotopes in nuclear medicine, particularly for diagnostic imaging. It is valued for its ideal physical properties, including a short half-life of around six hours and the emission of gamma rays, which can be easily detected by gamma cameras. When used in various radiopharmaceuticals, technetium-99m allows for a broad range of imaging applications, known collectively as nuclear scans.

In nuclear medicine, a nuclear scan involves the injection of a radiotracer (like those containing technetium-99m) into the patient, which then accumulates in specific organs or tissues. The gamma camera captures the emitted radiation to create images that reveal functional and, in some cases, anatomical information about the body. These nuclear scans are essential for diagnosing conditions, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating treatment responses.

Other imaging modalities, such as MRI, CVM (Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance), and CT, do not utilize technetium-99m. MRI relies on magnetic fields and radio waves, CT employs x-rays, and while CVM is a specific type of MRI focusing on cardiovascular structures, none of these techniques involve the use of radioisotopes like technetium-