Radioactive Tracers P 1 b 6 4 What

Radioactive Tracers P 1 b 6. 4 What are radioactive tracers?

Radioactive atoms behave chemically exactly like their non-radioactive equivalents. This means that they can be used to watch movements of chemicals through the body. Doctors use radioactive iodine to look at how well the kidneys are working.

First the patient is injected with a small amount of chemical containing radioactive iodine. Most of the injection is not radioactive.

Doctors use special radiation cameras to detect the radioactive iodine getting into the kidneys. The cameras can measure the radioactive iodine present. UCL

These images show what happens to the radioactive tracers. Look at the way the concentration changes as the kidneys clear it from the blood.

These images show what happens to the radioactive tracers. Look at the way the concentration changes as the kidneys clear it from the blood.

These images show what happens to the radioactive tracers. Look at the way the concentration changes as the kidneys clear it from the blood.

These images show what happens to the radioactive tracers. Look at the way the concentration changes as the kidneys clear it from the blood.

These images show what happens to the radioactive tracers. Look at the way the concentration changes as the kidneys clear it from the blood.

Radiation detected (counts per second) 70 Left kidney Right kidney Blood 60 50 40 30 20 10 20 Time since tracer injected into blood (mins) What is happening here?

Radiation detected (counts per second) The chemical is passing into the kidneys here. The level rises. 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Left kidney Right kidney Blood As the kidney filters the chemical out you can see the concentration falling. As the kidney 0 filters the 10 20 chemical out you Time since tracer injected into blood (mins) can see the concentration in the blood falling.

Radiation detected (counts per second) 70 Left kidney Right kidney Blood 60 50 40 30 20 10 20 Time since tracer injected into blood (mins) What is happening here?

Radiation detected (counts per second) The left kidney is working well, and filters out the chemical. You can see the concentration falling in the left kidney. 70 Left kidney Right kidney Blood 60 50 40 The right kidney is collecting iodine but is not passing it out properly. Its concentration stays high. 30 20 10 20 Time since tracer injected into blood (mins)