What is the simplest type of nuclear imaging?

• A. Dynamic
• B. Static or planar
• C. SPECT
• D. PET

Answer: (B)

The simplest form of nuclear imaging is static or planar imaging, which captures a single image at a fixed time after radiotracer injection. This approach gives a two-dimensional map of where the tracer has accumulated, without tracking changes over time or reconstructing a 3D volume. Because it involves only one projection and no time-activity curves or tomographic reconstruction, acquisition and processing are straightforward, fast, and require less equipment and analysis.

Dynamic imaging, in contrast, collects multiple images over time to study how the tracer moves and clears from tissues, producing time-activity curves. SPECT and PET add tomographic 3D information by rotating detectors or using dedicated rings and reconstructing slices, which increases complexity in hardware, acquisition time, and data processing. Therefore, static or planar imaging stands out as the simplest option.