In a nuclear medicine procedure, what is the purpose of using a collimator?

The primary purpose of using a collimator in nuclear medicine is to filter out unwanted radiation. A collimator is a device that limits the angles of gamma rays that can enter the detector, allowing only those gamma rays that come from a specific direction to be detected. This is crucial for obtaining clear and accurate images. By isolating the gamma rays emitted from the radiopharmaceuticals administered to the patient, the collimator enhances the quality of the images and improves spatial resolution, which is vital for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

While radionuclide concentration, imaging speed, and radiation dose measurement are important aspects of nuclear medicine, they are not the primary functions of a collimator. The collimator directly influences the clarity and quality of the images by minimizing noise from scattered radiation and creating a well-defined image of the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical within the patient. This function is essential for effective diagnostics and helps ensure that the resulting images are as informative as possible.