Nuclear Medicine Imaging: An Encyclopedic Dictionary

The rapidly growing area of nuclear medicine imaging receives only limited attention in broad-based medical dictionaries. This encyclopedic dictionary is intended to fill the gap. More than 400 entries of between one and three paragraphs are included, defining and carefully explaining terms in an appropriate degree of detail. The dictionary encompasses concepts used in planar, SPECT, and PET imaging protocols and covers both scanner operations and popular data analysis approaches. In spite of the mathematical complexities in the acquisition and analysis of images, the explanations given are easy to understand and many helpful concrete examples are provided. The book will be ideal for those who wish to obtain a rapid grasp of a concept beyond a definition of a few words but do not have the time to search the reference literature. The almost tutorial-like style accommodates the needs of students, nuclear medicine technologists, and varieties of other medical professionals.

From the reviews:

“This is an easy reference tool that can be useful in daily clinical practice for people who wish to obtain a rapid grasp of a concept. … this publication could be useful in all libraries of nuclear medicine departments or on the desk of residents and specialists, being readily available for those who want to report or recall technical terms of nuclear medicine.” (Nicola Frega and Luigi Mansi, European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Vol. 40, 2013)

“This is an interesting little book that does exactly what it says on the cover. It is a dictionary of terms that are involved in nuclear medicine imaging, many of which have expanded definitions and explanations. The book is split into chapters which are arranged alphabetically. … I am delighted that I now have a copy, which I can leave in the scanning room for general reference. … I would undoubtedly recommend it.” (Colin Todd, RAD Magazine, August, 2012)

Joseph A. Thie gained a BS Magna cum Laude in Physics and PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of Notre Dame. He went on to become Chief Physicist at the Argonne National Laboratory, designing and testing the first boiling water nuclear reactors. He subsequently worked as an independent consultant in nuclear physics, nuclear medicine, and dynamic processes. Since 1989 he has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tennessee, collaborating in nuclear medicine research at the Biomedical Medical Imaging Center, University of Tennessee Medical Center. Dr. Thie served as the U.S. delegate to the 2^nd and 3^rd U.N. International Conferences on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy. He has authored many journal and proceedings articles as well as several books and book chapters. He has also served as a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.