All India Institute Of Medical Science AIIMS offers M.Sc. (Nuclear Medicine Technology) of duration 2 years.

M.Sc. (Nuclear Medicine Technology)

Duration - 2 Yrs.

Eligibility-

B.Sc. In Nuclear Medicine from a recognised University OR B.Sc. with Physics/ Chemistry / Maths from a recognised University

OR

B.Sc. in allied/related subject i.e. Radio Diagnosis (MRT) Radiotherapy from a recognised University

OR

B.Sc. in Life Sc. with Physics as a subject from recognised University.

Month of Exam - July

Admission Notice - March

Course structure-

I. BASIC Sciences
1. Introduction to Basic Physics :
2. Mechanism of Radioactive Decay
3. Beta & Gamma emission, electron capture
4. Decay schemes and energy level diagrams
5. The laws of Radioactive Decay
6. Physical, biological and effective half lives
7. Units of activity, the Becquerel,, Curie
8. Properties of Radiation
9. Relevance in Nuclear Medicine
10. Properties of beta and gamma radiation
11. Interactions of beta and gamma radiation with matter
12. Compton scattering.
13. Radionuclide hazards.
14. Internal exposure – contamination control
15. External exposure – shielding, distance, time
16. Safe handling of radioactive sources
17. Basis of computers and logic involved
18. Filters and its use in the image processing
19. 3 D construction
20. Fusion imaging principal of DICOM, image transfer PACK technology.

II. INSTRUMENTATION

1. Gamma camera. both single and dual head
2. Positron Emission Tomography scanner (both simple and Hybrid)
3. Medical Cyclotron
4. Basis of automated Radiopharmacy modules
5. Basic Quality Control Instrument uniformity, resolution
6. Daily, weekly and monthly quality control procedures for all the instruments
7. NEMA classification
8. Record keeping of quality assurance procedures.
9. Film processing
10. Film characteristics, processor QC
11. Dose calibrators – theory of operation and QC
12. Probe systems – basic components,
13. System set up and calibration.
14. Basic counting experiments
15. Single and dual SPECT Systems
16. Highlight main features and use of operational manual
17. Photo peak, energy window width
18. Collimator, distance, count-rate
19. Total counts, exposure
20. Radio-immunoassay– Theory of operation of well type counter, multi channel counter
21. Beta counter principals and operation
22. Personal computers principals and application software for Word; Data base; and Excel; Power
point etc

III. MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS, AND COMPUTER SCIENCES

1. Basic concepts of mathematics.
2. Probability distributions and parametric and monoparametric statistics.
3. Statistics of counting random events.
4. The mathematics of medical decision making and comparative effectiveness of tests and therapeutic
procedures.
5. Basic aspects of computer structure, function, and programming.
6. Computer applications with emphasis on digital image acquisition, analysis processing and
enhancement, tomographic reconstruction, display, and recordings of findings.
7. Mathematical models of physiologic systems.

IV. RADIATION BIOLOGY AND PROTECTION:

1. The biological effects of radiation exposure, with emphasis on the effects of low level exposure.
2. Administrative and technical means of reducing unnecessary radiation exposure to patients, personal,
and environment. Planning a laboratory in ward which will utilize radioisotope.
3. Methods of reducing patient ,technicians, General public dose
4. Immunology, molecular biology, and genetics.
5. Calculation of the radiation dose from internally administered radionuclides.
6. The diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of radiation over-exposure in any form.
7. Governmental/BARC regulations regarding limits of radiation exposure, handling of radioactive patients,
and disposal of radioactive wastes.

V. RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS

Radiopharmaceutical Principles
This syllabus explores the chemical, physical and biological properties of radiopharmaceutical used in
Nuclear Medicine.
1. Production of radionuclide by reactors, cyclotrons, other particle accelerators, and the use of
radionuclide generators.
2. Formulation of radiopharmaceuticals considering chemical properties and quality control.
3. Physiology and pharmo-kinetics of commonly used radiopharmaceutical
4. Radionuclide and pharmaceutical requirements for clinical imaging
5. Parent – daughter relationship of radionuclide generator systems(Tc99m/Mo99, including solvent
extraction
6. Mechanism of localization of various radiopharmaceutical.
7. Chemistry of Technetium
8. Radionuclide used in therapy.
9. Positron emission radiopharmaceutical.
10. Good manufacturing practice (GMP) ISO and ISI Standards in relation to radiopharmaceutical.
11. Various receptor imaging legends and labeling of molecules.

VI. QUALITY CONTROL

1. Generator system, chromatography
2. Adverse reactions, drug intervention
3. Preparation of various radiopharmaceutical and quality control procedures.
4. TLC scanner and its applications
5. Radio- active HPLC
6. Quality assurance of PET pharmaceuticals

VII LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

1. Dose calibration,
2. Aseptic
3. Radioactive syringe handling.
4. Principals of RIA, standard curve, data analysis
5. Methods of receptor assays , hormones, Drugs. etc
6. GFR, Red Cell Mass and survival, using Cr.

VIII. RADIATION SAFETY

1. Radiation measurement – monitoring
2. Personal monitoring: TLD’s film
3. Contamination monitoring:
4. Survey instruments, wipe tests
5. Safe Handling – Patients
6. Scanning and Nursing procedures
7. Activity in body fluids – urine, blood, breast, milk, etc.
8. Accidents and emergencies
9. Spills & Personnel contamination
10. Medical emergencies, including death of patient
11. Loss of radioactive sources.

IX. INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

1. Highlight and main features
2. Introduction to computers
3. System hardware and System software
44 Syllabus M Sc / M Biotech — AIIMS
4. Data acquisition
5. Static, dynamic
6. Data display
7. Matrix, size, threshold, grayscale, color

X. CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
ENDOCRINOLOGY

1. Structure and physiology of thyroid, mechanism of isotope uptake, quantitative measurements of
uptake and imaging procedures.
2. Clinical topics : hyperthyroidism and cancer
3. Thyroid uptake I-131 and Tc-99m use of probe system
4. I-131 Therapy (low dose) for thyrotoxicosis
5. Thyroid imaging
Patient preparation, positioning, anatomical markers, collimation and rectifying artifacts use of
rectilinear scanner & camera

GASTROINTESTINAL AND HEPATOBILIARY

1. Structure and Physiology of the liver, its function and perfusion.
2. Tin Colloid, IDA Compound characteristics, mechanism of uptake
3. Gall bladder, bile ducts, bile formation and secretion.
4. Esophageal and gastro- intestinal system. Anatomy and physiology
5. Anatomical markers, views, artifacts.
6. Spleen Views for size, shape, location
7. G I Bleeding
8. Esophageal and Gastrointestinal revision Gastrointestinal Bleed, Meckles Diverticulum. Esophageal
Reflux ,how and when to image, transit times and determining reflux
9. Esophageal and gastrointestinal transitory system.
10. Haemangiomas use of blood pool study.
11. Biliary when and how long to image and intervention. esophageal transit
12. Hepatobillary function

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

13. Pulmonary embolism,
14. Interrelation between alveoli and lung capillaries, ventilation and perfusion.
15. Importance of mismatching / matching in interpretation of V/P defect.
16. Segmental configuration, postural effects on pulmonary perfusion and ventilation.
17. COAD assessment

18. Mechanism of the nebulizer including BARC nebulizer system
19. Alternative ventilation imaging methods.
20. Effects of varying collimation,
21. Patients preparation, positioning, imaging
22. Perfusion MAA preparation and QC
23. Ventilation DTPA & Colloid for aerosols
24. Safety precautions with aerosols units and contamination

SKELETAL

25. Bone structure, osteogenesis, tumors and infections reference to stress fractures etc.
26. Patient preparation
27. 3 phase imaging
28. Whole body imaging and spot views
29. Bone SPECT
30. I-131 whole body imaging
31. Collimators including the use of the pinhole, patient positioning and special views.
32. MDP – preparation and characteristics
CEREBRAL
1. Brain Blood Flow: Arterial/Venous cerebral blood flow
2. Blood/brain barrier.
3. Head positioning and images.
4. ROI and curve processing
5. Basic image processing
6. Brain SPECT both ictel and non-ictel
7. FAN Beam Collimator
RENAL
33. Structure of kidneys,
34. Renal perfusion, glomerular filtration, tubular function, absorption and secretion.
35. Pathological condition, obstructive uro-pathy, reflux, renal failure, renal transplantation. Space
occupying lesions and infection.
36. Dynamic and static differential kidney function
37. Influence of lasix (diuretics)
38. Renal differential analysis
39. GFR Estimation

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
40. Myocardium and cardiac chambers.
41. The heart as a pump. Coronary circulation.
42. Cardiac output. Ejection Fraction and wall movement.
43. The ECG – its value and emphasis on nuclear medicine procedures.
44. Coronary disease and impaired cardiac function.
45. Myocardial perfusion: Interrelationship of blood pool, flow and function.
46. First Pass & Gated Blood Pool acquisition and analysis.
47. Computer acquisition and processing.
48. Infarct imaging (hot spot imaging).PYP – characteristics and Indications
49. In-vivo & In-vitro red cell labeling.
50. Myocardial perfusion imaging using Tl 201 and Tc 99m-MIBI planar & circumferential analysis
51. Gated SPECT
XI. POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAHY
52. Introduction
53. Positron Emission radio-isotopes
54. Cyclotron and basic concepts of isotope production.
55. Clinical Application in oncology, cardiology and neurology.
56. Quality Control procedures.
57. Hard Copy and development of films
XII. ORGANIZATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
58. Design of laboratories or various sizes & capacity as per the norms of BARC.
59. Planning & scheduling of the patient work load.
60. Economic aspects of nuclear medicine and cost-effectiveness of nuclear medicine procedures.
61. Public relations.
62. Role of National and International Organizations like AERB, MCI, NMC, BRIT, BARC, IAEA ICRP
63. Regular participation in weekly journal club, Seminar and other periodical CME programs.
XIII. LOG BOOK
Each candidate should be required to maintain a log book in which following details will be entered :
64. Investigations performed by him.
65. Presentation in journal clubs along with Title & Journal & issue with title.
66. Presentation in departmental seminars.
67. Conferences attended – National/International.
68. Cases worked up for radionuclide therapy.
XIV. MID TERM EVALUATION
Each candidate shall have a midterm evaluation in terms of :
1. Presentation of work completed in Thesis.
2. Evaluation of the Log book.
XV. PRE EXAMINATION EVALUATION
Examination appearing students shall be evaluated by the faculty & observer for following :
XVI. TRAINING PROGRAMME
1. Didactic lectures in physics related in Nuclear Medicine, radiopharmacy, radioisotope techniques,
instrumentation data processing and quality control.
2. Participation in the daily routine work of the department including work rounds of patients admitted
for radionuclide therapy.
3. Active participation in the combined clinical meetings with other departments for case discussions.
4. Participation in Distance learning program.

Contact-

AIIMS
AIIMS Campus, Ansari Nagar East, New Delhi, Delhi 110029