Introduction

Abstract

The fundamental difference between adult nuclear medicine and pediatric nuclear medicine is the child. The child makes pediatric nuclear medicine a very interesting, dynamic, and exciting field. Pediatric nuclear medicine includes the application of diagnos-tic, therapeutic, and investigational aspects of nuclear medicine to pediatric patients. Because they are sensitive, minimally invasive, and safe, diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures are well suited for the evaluation of pediatric patients. Nuclear medicine provides qualitative and quantitative information about the function of organs, systems, and lesions in the body. Research in pediatric nuclear medicine is full of potential, but clinical investigation in pediatric patients presents practical and ethical challenges.