ISSN: 2577 - 8005 Review Article Medical & Clinical Research Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine in Eastern Province, KSA Akbar Algallaf *Corresponding author Akbar Algallaf, Radiation Safety Officer, Saad Specialist Hospital, Saudi Radiation Safety Officer, Saad Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia. E-mail:
[email protected] Arabia Submitted: 13 Aug 2018; Accepted: 21 Aug 2018; Published: 20 Feb 2019 Abstract In nuclear medicine, radiopharmaceuticals are administered to the patient either for the production of diagnostic images or with the intention to treat using the emitted radiation from the radiopharmaceutical. The increased use of PET-imaging causes a need for new planning of radiation protection. In radionuclide therapy, the activities are higher and the radionuclides used are often different from those used in diagnostic nuclear medicine and constitute a greater radiation protection problem. In both diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine, the patient becomes a source of radiation not only for him/herself but also for staff, caregivers and the general public. All categories of staff members involved in nuclear medicine must have good knowledge of radiation protection. This is vital for patient safety as well as for the staff's own security, for caregivers and the general public. Introduction pinpoint molecular levels within the body are revolutionizing our What is nuclear medicine?! understanding of and approach to a range of diseases and conditions. Nuclear medicine specialists use safe, painless, and cost-effective techniques to image the body and treat disease. Nuclear medicine Radiation safety and health physics deals primarily with the imaging is unique, because it provides doctors with information exposure of personnel that work in nuclear medicine (NM) clinics about both structure and function.