PET CT Scan Explained: How It Works, Benefits & Preparation
A Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography (PET CT scan) is a nuclear medicine-based imaging modality that can help evaluate diseases like cancer, brain disorders, and heart diseases. It basically combines two different imaging techniques – PET and CT scans and delivers highly detailed 3-dimensional color images of what is happening in a patient’s body at the molecular and cellular level.
In this imaging procedure, a radioactive dye is injected or swallowed into the bloodstream, which emits gamma rays, and helps differentiate between healthy and diseased cells. A PET scan helps study the metabolism of a particular organ or tissue to get information regarding the physiology (functionality) and anatomy (structure) of the organ or tissue. This procedure is most commonly used by oncologists, cardiologists, neurologists and neurosurgeons. This scan helps evaluate patients with cancers such as thyroid, prostate, lung, breast, colon and lymph nodes. It is also suggested for patients with heart disease to determine conditions like clogged arteries, heart function and post-heart attack conditions. Patients who require guidance during surgical procedures may also be recommended this test.
A PET CT scan is a safe modality given that the radioactive tracers decay quickly and are eliminated from the body within hours. This means the radioactive exposure from a PET scan is very less and relatively harmless. For this scan, patients are asked to fast for 6-8 hours before the scan. After the FDG is injected into the bloodstream, patients need to wait for 60-90 minutes to allow the injectable to distribute throughout the body. A CT scan then takes images of the body. The results from both the scans can be combined to view 3D images of the body's internal structures. The entire process typically takes 2-3 hours.
If you live in Delhi-NCR, you can do an online search to know PET CT scan price.
Disclaimer: For personalised advice and further information, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare professional.
Comments
Post a Comment