QEII Nuclear Medicine

Our Clinical Care

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine uses radiolabelled molecules -- radiopharmaceuticals – to diagnose and treat disease. Our tests span the breadth of medicine, including oncology, cardiac disease, and endocrinology, as well as diseases of the neurologic, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and pulmonary systems. Our contribution to patient care includes involvement in 9 cancer tumour site teams. In addition to QEII studies, we oversee and report much of the nuclear medicine performed at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and the IWK Health Centre. 

Positron Emission Tomography

We perform over 3000 ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT scans per year, contributing significantly to the care of Nova Scotians. The majority are for oncology, though brain PET is performed for dementia and epilepsy, while cardiac PET is performed for sarcoidosis. 

In addition to ¹⁸F-FDG, we have been performing ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET for neuroendocrine tumours since August 2021 and ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA for prostate cancer since September 2023. 

Radioisotope Therapies

In November 2020 we began performing ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE therapies, the “Theragnostic” counterpart of the ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET scans mentioned above. We are currently involved with ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA therapy for prostate cancer in clinical trials and it is anticipated this will become available clinically in the near future. These join our established repertoire of radioisotope therapies including ¹³¹Iodine for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer, ²²³Radium for prostate cancer, and ¹³¹I-MIBG for neuroendocrine tumours. We also facilitate ⁹⁰Y-microsphere liver therapies performed by Interventional Radiology and ⁹⁰Y-colloid treatment of craniopharyngiomas by Neurosurgery. 

Bone Mineral Density

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and fracture risk assessment are major facets of our clinical and educational programs. Dalhousie Nuclear Medicine physicians are engaged in these pursuits at the national level with Osteoporosis Canada, the Canadian Association of Radiologists, and the Canadian Panel of the International Society of Clinical Densitometry.

Our Education

Nuclear Medicine is a separate specialty of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). At Dalhousie we offer a sought-after six-year combined Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology Residency, leading to RCPSC certification in both specialties. 

Dr. E. Ashley Wiley is the Residency Program Director. There are currently five residents in our program. We are also the main clinical site for the training of Nuclear Medicine technologists through the Faculty of Health Professions. 

Our Research

Dalhousie Nuclear Medicine has a strong tradition of research. Our physicians have been Dalhousie Radiology Research Directors and have received local and national research awards. In addition to investigator-driven research, we participate in industry-sponsored research including novel PET radiotracers and radioisotope therapies. 

Our Equipment

• State-of-the-art digital PET-CT scanner (GE Discovery MI 25)
• SPECT and SPECT-CT scanners
  • GE StarGuide CZT ring-detector SPECT-CT scanner installed June 2024, the first in Canada
  • A 2nd StarGuide will be installed in 2025
  • Remaining SPECT and SPECT-CT scanners are undergoing replacement very soon
• Radiopharmaceutical production facilities:
  • cyclotron and 18F-FDG production centre
  • 68Gallium generator
  • provincial radiopharmacy, hotlab and wetlab facilities

Faculty members