What is the term for introducing radioactive materials into the body for imaging purposes?

The appropriate term for introducing radioactive materials into the body for imaging purposes is nuclear imaging. During this process, radioactive substances known as radiotracers are administered to the patient, and imaging techniques are utilized to visualize the distribution and activity of the radioactive material within the body.

Planar nuclear medicine imaging is a specific type of nuclear imaging that captures two-dimensional images after radioactive materials have been introduced. However, nuclear imaging encompasses a broader spectrum of techniques, which includes single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), in addition to planar nuclear medicine imaging.

CT imaging and ultrasound imaging utilize different modalities that do not involve radioactive substances. CT uses X-rays to produce cross-sectional images of the body, while ultrasound employs sound waves to create images. Therefore, the focus on radioactive material and imaging techniques that utilize it clearly aligns with the overarching category of nuclear imaging.