Nuclear Medicine Board Review: Questions and Answers for Self-Assessment

Nuclear medicine has continuously evolved since the first edition of Nuclear Medicine Board Review was published in 1998. The new millennium marked the recognition of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT as a diagnostic reference standard in oncology. The proliferation of ¹⁸F-FDG PET and the emergence of PET/CT have fueled a demand for continuing medical education on clinical PET. Meanwhile, SPECT/CT has continued to expand in nuclear oncology, cardiology, and neurology. The role of radionuclide therapy has grown slowly, expanding in lymphomas using radiolabeled antibodies, in neuroendocrine tumors using radiolabeled receptor agents, and also in the treatment of skeletal metastases using bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals.

This soft-cover second edition provides a thorough preparation for certification examinations by the American Board of Radiology (Nuclear Medicine Section and Special Competency), the American Board of Nuclear Medicine, and the American Board of Nuclear Cardiology. The authors have maintained a unique, convenient feature of the first edition: a question-and-answer format in which questions appear on the left and answers on the right, allowing readers to rapidly review and test themselves on the relevant information.

More than 1,780 questions test the reader's knowledge of the diagnostic and therapeutic uses of radionuclides, single-photon applications, and PET. There are 253 questions on the basics of nuclear medicine, 1,318 questions on single-photon applications, and 215 questions on PET. The basics of nuclear medicine that are covered include radiopharmaceuticals, instrumentation, and quality control. Single-photon applications are divided into various organ systems, as well as infection and oncology. The PET section is organized into basics, cancers in different organs, and dementia. The emergence of PET/CT is also addressed. Ideal for board examination preparation, the concise text has an up-to-date question-and answer review of the most important topics in nuclear medicine. Unfortunately, no images or illustrations are included, and no questions relate to the techniques for and radiation dose from CT in SPECT/CT or PET/CT studies—topics of increasing concern in nuclear medicine practice.

This book is not intended solely for certification seekers; all who strive to keep current in their knowledge of nuclear medicine should find the contents stimulating and satisfying. The detailed division of topics facilitates focus on a subspecialty. The handy quizzes provide an opportunity for immediate evaluation of the reader's grasp of the information.

The editors are confident that the reader's time and effort will be rewarded by added knowledge and increased confidence. This second edition is more user-friendly for those practicing worldwide because the editors have been careful to cite international system metric units in addition to units such as rads and curies that remain popular with many in the United States.

I highly recommend this booklet to both trainees and practitioners of nuclear medicine and radiology, particularly those who are preparing for the nuclear medicine or radiology board examinations.