EXPERT
Bruce J. Barron
Nuclear Medicine Specialist
Dr. Bruce J. Barron is a top Nuclear Medicine Specialist in Dunwoody, . With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Bruce J. Barron is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. Bruce J. Barron is a prime example of a true leader in healthcare. As a leader and expert in their field, Dr. Bruce J. Barron is passionate about enhancing patient quality of life. They embody the values of communication, safety, and trust when dealing directly with patients. In Dunwoody, Georgia, Dr. Bruce J. Barron is a true asset to their field and dedicated to the profession of medicine.
Bruce J. Barron
- Dunwoody, Georgia
- University of South Florida College of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
No results found
Does a CT scan show varicose veins?
It can show varicosities in the chest , abdomen and extremeties.
Is contrast dye bad for the thyroid?
It is not bad for the thyroid. However, iodinated contrast can interfere with evaluation of thyroid disease. Nuclear thyroid scans should not be performed within one month of receiving READ MORE
It is not bad for the thyroid. However, iodinated contrast can interfere with evaluation of thyroid disease. Nuclear thyroid scans should not be performed within one month of receiving contrast.
How long does radioactive iodine stay in your body?
It depends on the half life of the isotope used. Half life is the time it takes for an isotope to decay to half of its original activity level. It can be short, like 13 seconds READ MORE
It depends on the half life of the isotope used. Half life is the time it takes for an isotope to decay to half of its original activity level. It can be short, like 13 seconds for Krypton gas or long like radioactive Iodine-131 with an 8 day half life. Those with longer half lives can be used as therapeutic agents in some circumstances.
Do you need a CT after a head injury?
Not always, unless there was a concussion, dizziness, or nausea. Precautions against malpractice may cause some to order the CT as protection. I generally would examine the patient READ MORE
Not always, unless there was a concussion, dizziness, or nausea. Precautions against malpractice may cause some to order the CT as protection. I generally would examine the patient and, if anything abnormal, would get the scan. Otherwise, I would do watchful waiting.
What should a pregnant diabetic eat?
A healthy diet. You should check with your doctor. Fruit and nuts are good.
What is the best diet when you have an ulcer?
This is debatable but is outside my realm of nuclear medicine. Typically a bland diet is recommended. Sucralfate is sometimes given to coat the stomach.
How long does a brain CT scan take?
Not very long. It is usually performed with an without intravenous contrast and generally takes less than 30 minutes. Actual scanning time is in minutes.
Does everyone need radiation after lumpectomy?
No. It depends on tumor type, markers, age, race etc. Decision is based on a number of factors and is often determined at a tumor board.
What helps with prostate cancer radiation treatment pain?
A combination of Naprosyn and bromelain (pineapple extract OTC) has helped. Of course, there are several codeine derivatives that can be used for short term. There is a prostate READ MORE
A combination of Naprosyn and bromelain (pineapple extract OTC) has helped. Of course, there are several codeine derivatives that can be used for short term. There is a prostate cancer group on-line that probably could give you specifics.
Do you need anesthesia for radiation therapy?
Generally no. There are a few cases where intraoperative radiation is done.
What are the side effects of radiation therapy for leukemia?
There are many depending on which area is radiated. Nausea is probably the most common. Skin irritation and sometimes burns can occur. Alterations in blood count is the desired READ MORE
There are many depending on which area is radiated. Nausea is probably the most common. Skin irritation and sometimes burns can occur. Alterations in blood count is the desired effect. Sometimes the medicines to bring the blood count back up can cause bone pain. There are different forms of radiation available and some are more directed than others. Each patient is different and before undergoing radiation, one should converse with the radiation oncologist.
How long does a CT scan for sinus take?
15 minutes give or take.
How do I prepare for a lung CT scan?
No preparation needed. If you use an inhaler, use it before study.
How is nuclear medicine contained to not contaminate the air?
Most nuclear medicine pharmaceuticals are not volatile. They are in liquid form and injected into the body. There is a finite limit as to how much radiation is emitted from a patient READ MORE
Most nuclear medicine pharmaceuticals are not volatile. They are in liquid form and injected into the body. There is a finite limit as to how much radiation is emitted from a patient and generally does not travel far. The one volatile/gaseous radiopharmaceutical is Xenon 133. This is used for ventilation studies of the lung. Studies are done in a negative pressure room and exhaled xenon is captured and released above the roof of the building. Again decay half life prevents long term exposure to the environment.
How can nuclear medicine best treat cancers?
NM is different from radiation oncology which delivers radiation to the tumors from usually an external source. The classic use of NM to treat cancer is the use of Iodine 131 to READ MORE
NM is different from radiation oncology which delivers radiation to the tumors from usually an external source. The classic use of NM to treat cancer is the use of Iodine 131 to treat thyroid cancer. Radioactive I is taken up by normal tissue and cancer tissue. Generally, the patient has his/her thyroid removed and any remaining tissue/tumor is ablated with radioactive I. Other forms of treatment use either an antibody or receptor approach. The antibody labeled with a radioactive substance goes to the tumor cells and hits them with fatal radioactivity. This has been used for years for lymphoma therapy. Receptor based therapy is used to treat neuroendocrine tumors. Lutetium is used to provide radioactivity to the tumor. New therapies against prostate cancer antigens will soon be available using Lutetium as well. Radioactive Radium is given intravenously to treat prostate cancer bone metastases. It also kills some nerve endings helping to relieve pain.
How has nuclear medicine been affected during the pandemic?
We are almost back to normal. He had a reduced patient load during the pandemic. There were some supply issues with PPE. We did not do treadmill testing or ventilation studies READ MORE
We are almost back to normal. He had a reduced patient load during the pandemic. There were some supply issues with PPE. We did not do treadmill testing or ventilation studies during the pandemic as that would expose our personnel. We have done a lot more lung perfusion studies because of Covid effects on the lung.
How is nuclear medicine adapting to green energy?
We are lucky in that most of our radiopharmaceuticals have very short half-lives. They decay down to non-radioactive compounds. For those that use xenon gas, it is expelled from READ MORE
We are lucky in that most of our radiopharmaceuticals have very short half-lives. They decay down to non-radioactive compounds. For those that use xenon gas, it is expelled from airductsabove the building. Due to dispersion and decay, the environmental effect is minimal. For those isotopes with longer half-lives, used for therapy purposes, the decay is within the patient. Our transport containers are reusable. Syringes, of course cannot be reused and are disposed of .
Does working in a lab cause lung problems over time?
No. There used to be problems with those handling chemotherapy agents. All of that is now done in a vacuum hood. Good luck.
How will molecular engineering evolve in the future?
MI will enable nuclear imaging to be much more focused and specific, with individual tracers selected for each patient. There are a host of labeled amino acids and antibodies which READ MORE
MI will enable nuclear imaging to be much more focused and specific, with individual tracers selected for each patient. There are a host of labeled amino acids and antibodies which can be used.
What is the most common type of nuclear imaging?
The most common type of nuclear medicine study is the nuclear stress test imaging of the heart. The next two are PET/CT for the heart or cancer and bone scintigraphy or bone scan. READ MORE
The most common type of nuclear medicine study is the nuclear stress test imaging of the heart. The next two are PET/CT for the heart or cancer and bone scintigraphy or bone scan.
