Nuclear imaging in the realm of medical imaging

In medical imaging, information concerning the anatomy or biological processes of a patient is detected and presented on film or screen for interpretation by a reader. The information flow from patient to reader optimally implies: ission, transmission or reflection of information carriers, typically photons or sound waves, which have to be correctly modulated by patient information through interactions in the patient; detection by adequate imaging equipment preserving essential spectral, spatial and/or temporal information; esentation of the information in the most perceivable way; servation by an unbiased and trained expert. lity, only an approximation to this optimal situation is achieved. It is the goal of R&D in the medical imaging field to approach the optimum as much as possible within societal constraints such as patient risk and comfort, economics, etc. the basic physical concepts underlying the imaging process will be introduced. Different imaging modalities will then be situated in the realm of medical imaging with some emphasis on nuclear imaging.