Services Overview

Nuclear Medicine & PET Centre

For enquiries and appointments, please contact us at:

Our centre will also provides service at HKBH’s own Medical Centre — HKBH East Kowloon Medical Centre (EKMC). For more details, please contact us at: (By appointment only)

PET Scan Centre (Coming Soon)

For enquiries and appointments, please contact us at:

What is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear Medicine is a specialized field of clinical medicine that employs unsealed radioactive substances, known as Radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose and treat various diseases. These radiopharmaceuticals are designed to target specific cells or molecules, enabling precise diagnostic imaging and targeted treatment at the cellular or molecular level.

Diagnostic Imaging

Diagnostic imaging in Nuclear Medicine involves administering a small amount of radiopharmaceuticals to patients, usually through intravenous injection or oral ingestion. After binding to specific cells or molecules, these radiopharmaceuticals emit radioactive signals (such as γ rays) that are detected by advanced imaging systems, including Gamma Camera & SPECT-CT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography) and PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography). By visualizing metabolism of radiopharmaceuticals within the body, these technologies allow early disease detection before structural changes occur and aid in functional assessment of abnormalities identified on conventional imaging methods.

What are SPECT-CT and PET-CT?

SPECT-CT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography) and PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography) are hybrid imaging modality that incorporates functional or metabolic assessment with structural assessment. The SPECT or PET scan demonstrates functional or metabolic abnormalities that occur in disease processes, while the CT scan localizes the anatomical sites of pathology and delineates the corresponding structural changes.

Both imaging modalities are non-invasive procedures with no major side effects or discomfort on patients. Most radiopharmaceuticals have short half-lives and rapid metabolism, therefore the radiation dose to patients is at a very safe level.

Different examinations may have their own preparations and precautions. An instruction sheet will be provided to patients on the relevant details.

Common Indications of Conventional Nuclear Medicine Procedures (Gamma Camera & SPECT-CT):

• Cardiology
  • Diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease
  • Assessment of myocardial ischaemia from known coronary artery stenosis
  • Pre-operative assessment before major surgery
• Endocrinology
  • Differentiation between causes of hyperthyroidism
  • Localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands in hyperparathyroidism
  • Evaluation of adrenal tumours
• Gastroenterology
  • Localization of gastrointestinal bleeding source
• Neurology
  • Evaluation of Parkinsonian syndrome
• Nephrology & Urology  
  • Evaluation of renal function, urinary tract obstruction and renal scarring

Common Indications of PET-CT

• Oncology
  • Identification of primary cancer site
  • Differentiation between benign and malignant tumour
  • Staging of cancer
  • Evaluation of treatment response
  • Surveillance for cancer recurrence
• Cardiology
  • Evaluation of myocardial viability
• Neurology
  • Evaluation of dementia (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease) and Parkinsonism
• Inflammation and infection
  • Localization of source for pyrexia or sepsis of unknown origin

Radionuclide Therapy

In addition to diagnostic imaging, Nuclear Medicine also provides targeted treatment options for certain cancers through Radionuclide Therapy. In particular, the same molecules employed in diagnostic imaging are engineered as the carrier for subsequent therapy. These molecules precisely deliver the therapeutic high-energy radioactive particles (e.g. β particles) to diseased sites identified on diagnostic imaging, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This integrated therapeutic and diagnostic approach, known as Theranostics, creates a personalized and effective management plan tailored to each patient’s unique condition.

Common Types of Radionuclide Therapy

• Iodine-131 (¹³¹I):
  • For thyrotoxicosis and thyroid cancer
• Lutetium-177 (¹⁷⁷Lu) Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Radioligand Therapy (RLT):
  • For prostate Cancer
• Lutetium-177 (¹⁷⁷Lu) DOTA-Conjugated Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT):
  • For neuroendocrine tumour