Overview of Part II: Mathematics of the Biodistribution of Radiopharmaceuticals

Abstract

Nuclear medicine physicians are often unfamiliar with the mathematics that describe the physiologic or molecular biologic processes that describe the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals. In addition, they are often unaware of the degree to which a conceptual understanding of the relevant mathematics can inform the interpretation of clinical studies. The next six chapters cover the mathematics that pertain to (1) the movement of radiopharmaceuticals through the vascular system during the first circulation; (2) the clearance of radiopharmaceuticals from the vascular space into organs, tissue, and lesions; (3) the passage of radiopharmaceuticals through parenchymal excretory systems; (4) the movement of radiopharmaceuticals through compartments; and (5) the calculation of relative and absolute functional measurements. The last chapter in Part II discusses a few miscellaneous mathematical techniques.