Nuclear Radiology
The UT Health’s section of Nuclear Medicine provides imaging services for San Antonio’s University Hospital and UT Medicine Systems. Our team is comprised of 4 board certified physicians that have achieved subspecialized training through dedicated nuclear medicine residencies and fellowships. Our section delivers comprehensive Nuclear Medicine services with cutting edge techniques, some of which include:
Advanced Nuclear Medicine Techniques Provided:
- PET/CT Imaging: Offers on-site state of the art Time of Flight (TOF) PET/CT for detection of malignancy, initial staging, response to therapy and restaging of disease to include lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), lung, breast, ovarian, cervical, uterine, esophageal, colon cancerd and many others. We offer imaging with the newly released radiotracer Axumin for PET/CT indicated for suspected prostate cancer recurrence.
- Nuclear Brain Imaging:
- Brain PET/CT Imaging: Utilizing Siemens MI Neurology software, which identifies abnormal regions and compares with a normal database, providing information on the degree of deviation for a particular anatomic region. Used for dementia evaluation including Alzheimer’s disease and for epilepsy evaluation.
- Dopamine Transporter Imaging (DaTscan): for the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
- Brain Perfusion SPECT Imaging: for intractable seizure localization with interictal and ictal SPECT brain scans subtraction and MRI image co-registration.
- Osteomyelitis Imaging with Hybrid Modality: utilizing single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/x-ray computed tomography (CT) for 3-D imaging:
- Bone scan with multiphase SPECT/CT imaging.
- White blood cell (WBC) infection imaging with simultaneous acquisition of radiolabeled WBC and bone marrow agent with SPECT subtraction.
- Myocardial SPECT Perfusion Imaging: for diagnosis of myocardial ischemia and infarction via stress and rest and as needed viability imaging and a gated acquisition for the determination of left ventricular ejection fraction.
- Comprehensive Nuclear Medicine Endocrine Collaboration and Clinic: for diagnostic evaluation and radiotherapy of hyperthyroidism and most thyroid cancers.
- Radiotherapeutic Microspheres for the Treatment of Liver Cancer with SPECT/CT pre-therapy and post-therapy imaging. Availability of two different Y-90 beta-emitting microspheres, Y-90 SIR-spheres for a more embolic therapy and Y-90 Theraspheres for more specific radiation therapy and segmentectomy.
Solid Gastric Emptying 4-hour study: utilizing the standardized radiolabeled egg meal, simultaneous blood glucose levels, and patient
- Symptoms to assess for delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) and rapid gastric emptying (functional dyspepsia). Availability of a standardized liquid carbohydrate glucose meal for assessment of carbohydrate gastric emptying.
- Parathyroid Imaging using SPECT/CT Imaging with capability for Parathyroid 4D-CT Image Fusion: for the diagnosis of parathyroid adenomas and improved pre-surgical localization.
- Extensive Research Capabilities in Clinical Nuclear Medicine: Current Phase I/II testing of a novel nanoparticle radionuclide therapy for the treatment of glioblastoma. This novel therapy has been developed in the UT Health’s radiology research laboratories and its clinical testing is an example of a bench to bedside initiative.
Nuclear Medicine Physicians
-
Umber Salman, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiology
Section Director of Nuclear Medicine
Email: salmanu@uthscsa.edu -
William Phillips, MD
Professor of Radiology
Email: phillips@uthscsa.edu -
Darlene Metter, MD
Professor of Radiology and Family & Community Medicine
Email: metter@uthscsa.edu -
Thanh Van, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiology
Email: vant@uthscsa.edu
Contact Information
Nuclear Radiology Administrative Support
Phone: 210-567-6488
Fax: 210-567-6418