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
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Does exposure to nuclear medicine affect your oral health?
No. However, if you are treated with radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer, one usually gets dry mouth and increased risk of cavities.
What major in college do you choose for nuclear medicine?
Typically a pre/med or science based major. Courses that are helpful are mathematics, computer sciences, chemistry, biology and physics. If you would like to become a technologist, READ MORE
Typically a pre/med or science based major. Courses that are helpful are mathematics, computer sciences, chemistry, biology and physics. If you would like to become a technologist, check with schools to learn requirements. If you are going into medicine, these subjects are required for medical school.
Why do a nuclear medicine stress test?
When deposits form in the coronary vessels, it may decrease the flow to the heart. Cardiac catheterization can tell the amount of narrowing but not the functional significance. READ MORE
When deposits form in the coronary vessels, it may decrease the flow to the heart. Cardiac catheterization can tell the amount of narrowing but not the functional significance. For the nuclear stress test a patient is stressed by exercise or drugs. If there is a functional narrowing of a vessel, there will be decreased blood flow to the area supplied by that vessel. We see that as decreased counts or brightness on the pictures. If that abnormality goes away when the heart is at rest, that means there is ischemia to that region and that vessel will likely need to be fixed.
Is a nuclear medicine technologist a good job?
Any technologist job in radiology is a good job. Most jobs entail some weekend and night call. MRI and ultrasound techs seem to make more. Nuclear medicine has been having a rebirth READ MORE
Any technologist job in radiology is a good job. Most jobs entail some weekend and night call. MRI and ultrasound techs seem to make more. Nuclear medicine has been having a rebirth with new agents and therapies. Go for it.
When did nuclear medicine first begin?
Nuclear medicine began as an offshoot of pathology. First studies using a probe and isotopes probably began in the 1950s. Probes were used to evaluate renal function and thyroid READ MORE
Nuclear medicine began as an offshoot of pathology. First studies using a probe and isotopes probably began in the 1950s. Probes were used to evaluate renal function and thyroid uptake of iodine. Radioactive I-131 was used for uptake measurements and therapy of overactive glands. Rectilinear scanners were developed in the 1960s and provided a very crude image. The Anger camera gradually replaced rectilinear scanners which were still being used into the 1980s. Early images were recorded on Polaroid film and later onto photographic film needing development. The Society of Nuclear Medicine as it currently stands was founded in about 1970 with a separate board for certification. Numerous stories about early nuclear medicine are available on line.
Do you wear masks while studying nuclear medicine?
There are generally no fumes in nuclear medicine. No masks are needed.
How do you prevent toxic spills?
Despite safety precautions occasional spills happen. These are usually low dose isotopes. Much more stringent precautions are taken with high dose isotopes. First, an absorbent READ MORE
Despite safety precautions occasional spills happen. These are usually low dose isotopes. Much more stringent precautions are taken with high dose isotopes. First, an absorbent sheet is placed over the spill. Traffic is diverted around the spill area. Staff members have their shoes checked with a Geiger counter. Radiation safety officer is called. Wearing protective clothing, the spill is scrubbed until there is no more radiation detected.
Can you become poisoned from nuclear medicine?
While there may be toxicities from large dose therapies, poisoning from routine nuclear medicine procedures has not been reported.
Does nuclear medicine and radiology work hand in hand?
Nuclear Medicine is now generally a division of nuclear medicine. It is called nuclear because the photons emitted for Imaging come from the nucleus. Thus we image the emissions READ MORE
Nuclear Medicine is now generally a division of nuclear medicine. It is called nuclear because the photons emitted for Imaging come from the nucleus. Thus we image the emissions of photons. X-rays come from the electron shell. Imaging is done through transmission. That is the x-rays pass through soft tissues at different rates of absorption. Nuclear medicine generally looks at physiology and radiology at anatomy. Many times the images are combined as in a PET/CT scan. The functional image is overlaid atop the anatomical one. The answer to your question is that there is a strong relationship between other branches of radiology and nuclear medicine.
Do nuclear medicine specialists do radiology work?
Nuclear Medicine started as a division of pathology. A separate nuclear medicine specialty became available in the early 1970’s. Those early practitioners still around for the READ MORE
Nuclear Medicine started as a division of pathology. A separate nuclear medicine specialty became available in the early 1970’s. Those early practitioners still around for the most part were nuclear specialists only. With time nuclear medicine doctors started doing some radiology studies such as CT. Many nuclear medicine specialists now are board certified radiologists as a dedicated nuclear medicine specialist is fading by the wayside. I was a nuclear medicine physician who learned to interpret CT scans. For those considering NM, radiology is the way to go. There is now a program for radiology residents to do nuclear medicine in their senior year and become board certified in both. Good luck.
What GPA do you need in college to be a nuclear medicine specialist?
If you are talking about becoming a nuclear medicine technologist you will need better than average grades in science. If you are talking about going to medical school, that is READ MORE
If you are talking about becoming a nuclear medicine technologist you will need better than average grades in science. If you are talking about going to medical school, that is a whole different issue. For med school most GPAs are above 3.6. If you want to go the technologists route you will be better off at a degree program. You can check SNMMI.org Website.
How are diseases diagnosed in nuclear medicine?
There are expected normal patterns of uptake of radiotracer in the body. Abnormally increased or decreased uptake may signify a disease. Some radiotracers are directed towards READ MORE
There are expected normal patterns of uptake of radiotracer in the body. Abnormally increased or decreased uptake may signify a disease. Some radiotracers are directed towards receptors for various tumors. If the tracer localizes receptors then there is probably an abnormality. Often a CT is obtained at same time to see exactly where the tracer localizes. If abnormal uptake is seen in an abnormality on CT, likely there is disease.
Is a scintigraphy similar to an x-ray?
No. X-rays pass through the body and different tissues have differences in attenuation that create contrasting images. Scintigraphy occurs when the radioactive isotope is in one’s READ MORE
No. X-rays pass through the body and different tissues have differences in attenuation that create contrasting images. Scintigraphy occurs when the radioactive isotope is in one’s body and emits radiation captured by imaging cameras. Scintigraphy generally represents physiologic function and x-ray represent anatomy.
Is radiotherapy effective for prostate cancer?
Yes and no. Intensity modulated radiation therapy does work on lower grade tumors. The most important aspect is to correctly outline the prostate with fiducial markers. In my case READ MORE
Yes and no. Intensity modulated radiation therapy does work on lower grade tumors. The most important aspect is to correctly outline the prostate with fiducial markers. In my case they were off, leaving a bit of untreated tumor. There are new therapies at Radboud Medical Center in the Netherlands that use cryotherapy to zap the entire prostate. Similar therapies may be available at the Mayo Clinic.
In the best of scenarios, 95% of tumors can be cured with IMRT. Be careful who you choose.
In the best of scenarios, 95% of tumors can be cured with IMRT. Be careful who you choose.
Is radiation therapy safe?
The goal of radiation therapy is to kill the tumor with radiation. Unfortunately, the beams don’t distinguish between cancerous and normal tissue. The side effects from the radiation READ MORE
The goal of radiation therapy is to kill the tumor with radiation. Unfortunately, the beams don’t distinguish between cancerous and normal tissue. The side effects from the radiation are far better than letting the tumor run its course. Newer radiotherapies can better target the tumors, but side effects still occur.
Can pelvic radiation cause bowel incontinence?
Sometimes, pelvic radiotherapy causes the small blood vessels in the bowel to become more fragile and may cause the bowel to narrow. These changes lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, READ MORE
Sometimes, pelvic radiotherapy causes the small blood vessels in the bowel to become more fragile and may cause the bowel to narrow. These changes lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, leaking (incontinence) or bleeding from the back passage
Is it dangerous to have a nuclear stress test?
A nuclear stress test is performed with a cardiologist in presence. Either treadmill or pharmacologic stress is relatively safe. Patients with seizure disorders can not use standard READ MORE
A nuclear stress test is performed with a cardiologist in presence. Either treadmill or pharmacologic stress is relatively safe. Patients with seizure disorders can not use standard drugs for stressing. No side effects. You won’t glow in the dark.
How long does a nuclear heart scan take?
It depends. A stress (exercise or pharmacologic) has two parts, the resting scan and the exercise part. Some places do the resting scan first (30 min) and then wait a while, do READ MORE
It depends. A stress (exercise or pharmacologic) has two parts, the resting scan and the exercise part. Some places do the resting scan first (30 min) and then wait a while, do the stress, re-inject, and wait 40 minutes to do the 2nd scan. A cardiac PET scan is much faster. No caffeine for 24 hours before either scan; hold beta blockers.
How treatable is stage 4 soft tissue sarcoma?
I am not an expert, but generally they are poor responders.
What is a scintigraphy?
A scuntigram is a nuclear medicine scan. Photons from the radiotracer injected and winding up in the lungs gives of light, hence the scintigram. I would refer to this study as READ MORE
A scuntigram is a nuclear medicine scan. Photons from the radiotracer injected and winding up in the lungs gives of light, hence the scintigram. I would refer to this study as a ventilation/perfusion lung scan.
