Iodine 131 for hyperthyroidism (β- disintegration)

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the detection of gamma photons emitted during the disintegration of Iodine-131 in the context of scintigraphy for hyperthyroidism treatment. It clarifies that while Iodine-131 undergoes β-disintegration to form excited Xenon (Xe*), it is the excited Xe nucleus that emits the 364 keV gamma photon, which is detected during scintigraphy. The confusion arises from the misconception that Iodine-131 directly emits gamma photons, rather than understanding the role of the excited Xe nucleus in the process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear disintegration processes, specifically β-disintegration.
  • Knowledge of scintigraphy and its application in medical imaging.
  • Familiarity with photon emission types, including gamma and X photons.
  • Basic principles of nuclear physics, particularly regarding excited states of nuclei.
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  • Research the mechanisms of β-disintegration and its implications in nuclear medicine.
  • Learn about scintigraphy techniques and the types of radiation detected in medical imaging.
  • Study the properties of gamma photons and their significance in diagnostic procedures.
  • Explore the excited states of nuclei and their role in photon emission following nuclear reactions.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for medical physicists, nuclear medicine specialists, and students studying radiology or nuclear physics, particularly those interested in the applications of Iodine-131 in hyperthyroidism treatment.

duchuy
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Homework Statement
Which particle would a scintigraphy detect? (
Relevant Equations
I --> Xe* + e- + antineutrino
Hi,
I'm struggling to understand an answer in my MCQ.
It states that a scintigraphy would detect γ photons emitted by the iodine's nucleus, and the answer was correct.
But I don't understand how it would detect γ photons from the iodine's nucleus since it disintegrates by forming Xe*, an electron and an antineutrino. So even if it is caused by an electronic rearrangement due to the appearance of a new electron, it would emit a X photon.
To a certain extent, we could say that excited Xe nucleus would emit γ photons but I really don't understand how the iodine's nucleus could emit γ photons...
Can someone please explain to me thank you!
 
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The Xe* emits a 364 keV gamma which is the main photon detected in the scintigraphy procedure.
 
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