"Nip and tuck": Surgeries every nuclear medicine physician should know: A pictorial review utilizing simple balloon models

Learning Objectives In the daily interpretation of nuclear medicine studies, the nuclear medicine physician must be familiar with a variety of surgical procedures to accurately interpret nuclear examinations. In a pictorial review, we demonstrate a variety of surgical procedures utilizing simple 3 dimensional balloon models and compare these with actual nuclear medicine studies. The nuclear medicine physician and resident will have a better understanding of normal and abnormal patterns of uptake on studies where surgical procedures were performed.

To adequately perform and interpret daily nuclear medicine studies, the nuclear medicine physician must be aware of the various common and uncommon surgical procedures which can affect the appearance of studies. In many cases, the appropriate clinical history is not conveyed, leading to potential problems with interpretation. We use simple balloon models which are 3 dimensional to demonstrate, simplify and understand the various procedures and appearances of the surgical procedures. In a pictorial review poster, we discuss various common and uncommon surgical procedures which can affect the appearance and dynamics of the nuclear medicine study interpretation and compare the surgical procedure with an example of an actual nuclear medicine studies. We will show cases of post cholecystectomy with leaks, post renal transplant with leaks, various gastric and bowel surgeries and effects on gastric emptying, various biliary surgeries and Kasai procedures, and several others. Upon review of this exhibit, the nuclear physician will have a better of understanding of various surgical procedures leading to improved understanding and interpretation of various nuclear studies.