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ABSTRACT
Radioactive isotopes as biologic
tracers were applied in Yugoslavia for the first time in 1952, in
animal experimental investigations (Arnovljević B. et al, Belgrade).
They were applied in medical diagnostics, in thyrology, in 1954
(Satler J, Ljubljana), and as open sources in the therapy in 1955
(Šavnik L, Ljubljana).
The medical use of radioactive isotopes was enthusiastic practice
of individuals and small groups of medical doctors in medical institutions
of Belgrade and Ljubljana till 1957, generally with the methodological
and technical support of Institutes for nuclear sciences “Boris
Kidrič” (Vinča – Belgrade) and “Jožef Štefan”
(Ljubljana).
The Federal Nuclear Energy Commission had the leading role in formation
of the first Yugoslav nuclear medical institutions. This Commission
took in 1957 the initiative for foundation and organization of centers
for medical application of radioactiive isotopes in Belgrade, Ljubljana,
Zagreb, Sarajevo, Skopje, financed room building or adaptation for
their location, enabled the acquisition of special equipment and
organized the education of specialists that would work in these
centers (partly abroad, partly in the School for the Training and
Handling of Radioisotopes in Belgrade).
The main year for the organized development of nuclear medicine
in Yugoslavia was 1958; in this year most of the first centers were
formed and some of them started to work. The radioactive isotopes
were applied in medical diagnostics, therapy and investigations
in 14 new centers till the end of 1960 (6 in Belgrade, 2 in Ljubljana,
2 in Zagreb, 2 in Sarajevo, one in Skopje, one in Slovenj Gradec).
The enthusiasm of Yugoslav nuclear medicine pioneers in these centers
soon affirmed the application of radioactive isotopes in clinical
practice and investigations.
These institutions became centers for education of new specialists,
for expansion of radioactive isotope applications from capital centers
to regional hospitals. The pioneers in these centers established
the foundation for the birth of new medical branch – nuclear medicine.
Keywords: Nuclear medicine, history, beginning, Yugoslavia
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Correspondence to:
Prof.dr sc. med. Ljubomir Stefanovic,D, PhD
Institute of Oncology, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Institutski put 4, 21204,Sremska Kamenica, Yugoslavia
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