Gadolinium-153

=**Gadolinium -153**=

This isotope is used in X-ray fluorescence and osteoporosis screening. It is a gamma-emmitter with an 8-month half-life, making it easier to use for medical purposes. In nuclear medicine, it serves to calibrate the equipment needed like single photo-emission computer tomography systems (SPECT) to make x-rays in order to ensure that the image captures is correct producing images of radioisotope distribution inside the patient. This isotope is produced in a nuclear reactor from europium or enriched gadolinium. It can also detect the loss of calcium in the hip and back bones, allowing to prevent osteoporosis.



This is an example of an image from a SPECT apparatus of the brain of an epileptic man. The middle and right columns show the how the SPECT captures the functional aspects of the brain whereas the left column shows how an MRI test only captures the anatomical view of the brain.


 * Sources:**
 * http://radioisotopes.pnl.gov/gadolinium.stm **


 * http://nobel.scas.bcit.ca/resource/ptable/gd.htm **