Larkana  Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (LINAR)

Nuclear Medicine Department

Following facilities are available at Nuclear Medicine Department

Radio immunoassay Laboratory

Following quantitative hormone analysis facilities are provided.  

1. Thyroid Function Tests i.e. T3, T4 & TSH for evaluation of suspected cases of Hypo/Hyper thyroidism, screening for neonatal hypothyroidism etc. 

2. Serum FSH, LH and Prolactin for Gynecological disorders and infertility

3. Cortisol levels for Addison’s disease, Cushing’s disease, etc.

4. Alpha Feto Protein levels as tumor marker for hepatic malignancies, molar pregnancy and testicular tumors.

II)  Immulite Assay Facility

Immulite is the new technology for the assay of various substances present in minute quantities in the body like hormones, peptides, electrolytes, and drugs. This system is based on chemoluscient technique, in which the reaction of the substrate with the enzyme produced light which is detected by the photomultiplier tube. This is the most modern and fully computerized system with high level of accuracy

B. Invivo Tests

Radio Isotope Imaging

Nuclear Medicine is a physiological imaging modality for evaluation of various benign and malignant diseases. It involves administration of Radioisotope alone or in combination with some biological molecule and then imaging with the help of sophisticated Gamma Camera. Routinely performed scans at LINAR include:

ROUTINE  SCANS 

1. Thyroid scan for palpable thyroid, evaluation of Thyroid Nodules, Correlation of functional status, Search for ectopic thyroid tissue, evaluation of retro strenal mass and thyroiditis. 

2. Thyroid Uptake: Thyroid uptake using I131 is done for the evaluation of different thyroid disorders, like congenital abnormalities and for calculation of the dose of I131 in case of treatment of Hyperthyroidism

3. Whole Body Scan with I131: Whole body scan with I131 is done in the patient with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma for detection of  metastatic disease

4. DTPA Renal Scan for the functional evaluation of the obstructed, transplanted and infected kidney

5. DMSA Renal Scan for morphological evaluation and determination of amount of functional tissue and to detect any renal mass.

6. Bone Scan for diagnosis of metastatic bone disease, infection, trauma and evaluation of indeterminate bone pain

7. Cholyscintigraphy for evaluation of biliary tree in biliary atresia and acute & chronic cholycystitis.

8. Liver-Spleen-scan for determination of any space occupying lesions in liver, determine any liver damage in Hepatitis, evaluation of Hepatic Rupture and for accessory spleen. RBC labeled liver scan for diagnosis of Hepatic Haemingiomas.

9. Brain Scan for sub acute and chronic sub dural hematoma, Cerebro-Vascular Accidents, and for Viral Encephalitis and evaluation of any space-occupying lesion in Brain.

SPECIAL SCANS

1. Radionuclide Hysteriosalpingiography for evaluation of dynamics of  female genital tract and determination of ciliary integrity of the fallopian tubes. This is very useful study in female infertility.

2. Raionuclide Dacrocystography for evaluation of lacrimal apparatus patency. 

3. Scaning for Ectopic Gestric Mucosa (Meckel's Scan): The scan is done for the pre-operative diagnosis of the Meckle's Diverticulum.

4. Parathyroid Imaging: Adenoma of the parathyroid gland causing Hyperparathyroidism can be detected using MIBI.

5. Red Blood Cell Labeled Scanning: Labeling Red Blood Cells is done for evaluation of Liver for Benign Hamingiomas and also for detection of Gastro Intestinal Bleeding.

6. Perfusion Lung Scan: Perfusion lung scan is done in the patients suspected of Pulmonary Embolism.

7. MIBG Scan: MIBG scan is performed for the suspected cases of Neuroblastoma and Pheochromocytoma

C. Therapeutic Facilities:

Treatment of Hyperthyroidism with I131: Patients suffering from hyperthyroidism resulting from Grave's Disease, Autonomous  are treated effectively using I131.
 

Post-Operative Ablation and Treatment of Metastatic Disease in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: High doses of radioactive iodine (150-200mCi) are given to these patients. A room with special shielding for such high doses, facility of  telecom communication, and some for patient recreation is available for this purpose.
 

Phosphorus 32: This is utilized for in cancer patients with severe bone pains due to metastatic disease and also in patients with Polycythemia Vera.

D. Non-Isotopic investigation 

1. E.T.T. for evaluation of patient with Ischemic Heart disease. 

2. Ultrasonography facilities are also available.