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Richard S. Lawson: The Gamma Camera: A Comprehensive Guide
Article in European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging · February 2014
DOI: 10.1007/s00259-013-2588-3
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Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
DOI 10.1007/s00259-013-2588-3
BOOK REVIEW
Richard S. Lawson: The Gamma Camera: A
Comprehensive Guide
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (Great Britain), 2013. ISBN:
9781903613535
Valentina Piscopo & Luigi Mansi
# Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
This book, as suggested by the title, is a comprehensive guide present commercial gamma cameras, and also discusses recent
to the gamma camera. The author, Richard S. Lawson, Chief developments in solid-state detectors. The sixth chapter
Physicist at the Nuclear Medicine Department of Manchester discusses the importance of quality controls, and the seventh
Royal Infirmary, has 30 years experience teaching the chapter describes the different methods used for the
physical basis of nuclear medicine to medical physicists, acquisition of images. The last three chapters are devoted to
physicians and technologists. The book consists of 296 pages the major evolutionary phases of the gamma camera. Thus,
and, as a result of the author’s teaching experience, has a very chapter 8 discusses the acquisition techniques used in single
didactic structure which derives from the author’s interactive photon emission tomography (SPECT), and chapter 9
connection with beginners and students who very frequently discusses its development, hybrid SPECT/CT. The tenth and
do not have an advanced understanding of physics. This is last chapter presents the quality control procedures needed for
educationally relevant, because the major intention was to these tools.
make understandable the physical mechanisms underlying The book is enriched by didactically clear images and
the functioning of the gamma camera to nonexperts. diagrams of the various components that constitute the gamma
Both the structures and the mechanisms of operation of the camera, providing all the information needed to acquire a
individual parts of the gamma camera are well described, with good understanding of the physics that underlies the
particular emphasis on the physical mechanisms involved in scintigraphic image. This background is mandatory, not only
the formation of images in nuclear medicine. The historical for better use of clinical information, but also to understand
evolution of the gamma camera is also discussed with the pitfalls and technical problems that could distort the final
illustrations. result.
The book consists of ten chapters, each divided into several In agreement with the editors, we believe that the book
sections. The first chapter describes the evolution of the covers in depth everything that anyone working in nuclear
gamma camera from analogue to digital images. Chapter 2 medicine might need to know about the operation of a gamma
describes the functional principles of the basic analogue camera. There is much greater detail than can be found in
gamma camera. The third chapter explains why the gamma general nuclear medicine textbooks, and indeed there are
camera, which consists of scintillation crystals, has a limited some concepts and explanations that are not to be found in
resolution. The fourth chapter discuss the properties of any other book but which Prof. Lawson has found to be
collimators, which are essential, but which unfortunately are helpful to his students over the years.
responsible for the poor resolution and sensitivity. The fifth In our opinion, the book is an interesting and
chapter deals with the digitization of the signal produced using comprehensive guide that would be useful to medical
physicists, nuclear physicians, technicians and residents. We
believe that a copy of this book should be made available in
V. Piscopo : L. Mansi (*)
every nuclear medicine department, both for didactic purposes
Nuclear Medicine, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy and as providing the best understanding of the operation of the
e-mail: luigi.mansi@unina2.it most diffuse machine in diagnostic nuclear medicine.
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