Introduction
PET or positron emission tomography scan is an extremely useful imaging diagnostic tool that provides tremendous insight into the metabolic or biochemical function of the organs and tissues of a human body. A PET scan depicts usual as well as unusual metabolic activity by employing a radioactive medication referred to as a tracer.
It is extremely helpful in identifying the abnormal metabolism of the tracer for diseases much sooner than other imaging studies, including CT (computerized tomography) scans and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
The tracer is typically injected into the vein of a patient’s arm or hand. The tracer accumulates into parts of the patient’s body that have increased metabolic or biochemical activity after that. So, this is an indication and it typically identifies the precise location of the disease. The PET scans are usually combined with CT or MRI and hence they are referred to as PET-CT or PET-MRI scans.
Why Do Physicians Recommend PET CT Scans?
A PET CT scan is quite useful and an effective diagnostic tool for the medical community. It is an excellent technique to identify a range of conditions including cancer, heart disease, and brain disorders.
The physicians utilize these results and interpret the data to diagnose, follow up, or treat a patient’s condition.
Cancer
During PET scans cancer cells are indicated as light spots since they are known to have a greater metabolic rate than normal cells. So, PET scans could be useful in:
Determination of cancer
- To determine whether there is metastasis of the cancer.
- To determine whether or not treatment of the cancer is successful.
- To identify a recurrence of the cancer.
- It is also worth noting that PET scans have to be read very cautiously since nonmalignant disorders also look similar to cancer. Additionally, certain cancers will not even show up on PET scans. It is with PET CT scans, most solid tumor cancers are scanable, such as:
- Cervical
- Brain
- Breast
- Colorectal
- Head and neck
- Esophageal
- Lymphatic system
- Lung
- Prostate
- Pancreatic
- Thyroid
- Skin
- Heart disease.
PET scans can reveal areas that are low on blood flow in the heart. It is most important to provide this data for assisting a patient and a doctor to make decisions, the kind of follow-up intervention. It can give wonderful information and assist in decision-making whether a patient would gain from coronary artery bypass surgery or would require angioplasty, where blocked heart arteries are opened.
Brain disorders
PET scans are also useful in the diagnosis of some brain disorders, such as tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, and seizures.
What To Do Prior To A PET Scan?
Be honest with the patient and he or she should reveal everything to the consulting physician. The patient should speak openly with the doctor and tell him or her everything including the following:
- If the patient ever had a bad allergic reaction previously.
- If the patient has recently been unwell or has any other medical condition, e.g., diabetes.
- If they are on any medication, herbal supplements, or vitamins.
- If one is pregnant or thinks they might be pregnant.
- If one is breastfeeding.
- If a patient suffers from claustrophobia and is afraid of small spaces.
Following this detailed explanation, the physician typically provides step-by-step guidance regarding how to prepare for the PET scan. As a general rule, the individual should not perform any heavy exercise for a few days prior to the scan and must not take food four hours prior to the scan.
Therefore, a patient can gain all the details about how to eat before a PET scan by consulting with the doctor.
PET CT scan procedure
Once all the initial formalities and preparations are satisfactorily completed, the patient is ready for the PET CT scan. The patient must lie flat on a thin, padded examination table that travels into the scanner, which is in the form of a doughnut hole. The patient must keep still, which will see to it that the images are crystal clear and not blurry. It is roughly half an hour for the entire PET-CT scan whereas it is 45 minutes in case of a PET-MRI scan. The patient must be informed in advance that the PET CT scan machine will produce buzzing and clicking sounds.
The test is not painful, though if the patient is claustrophobic, he or she might feel a bit uncomfortable within the scanner.
It is nothing to worry about. The patient must reveal being apprehensive about being in enclosed spaces so that the physician could administer an anxiety drug to soothe the nerves and make them relax. Nevertheless, it should be realized that a patient must never take whatever medicine the doctor prescribed except alone. The technicians might not be qualified to prescribe any medications. What to do after PET CT scan? After the PET CT scan is complete the patient can continue the routine chores as before. Only after the physician informs otherwise there is nothing out of the ordinary a patient needs to do following a PET CT scan. The patient must also take plenty of water or liquids in order for the tracer to be eliminated from the body.
Interpretations
Once the scanning procedure is completed, a radiologist will conduct the proceedings. A radiologist is a professional trained who reads the images from the scan. He or she will present the findings to the concerned or referring doctor of the patient.
The radiologist will most likely compare the patient’s PET images to images obtained from other recent tests he or she might have undergone, such as an MRI or CT. The radiologist might also fuse the PET images to give more information regarding the patient’s present condition. After interpretation is done, the final report is then sent to the physician, who initiates the ensuing intervention steps accordingly.
Conclusion
Therefore, we have learned that PET CT scan is a precious imaging modality to diagnose a wide range of serious diseases and assist the physician to develop successful treatment plans for the patient. A patient must follow the doctor’s instructions carefully to get accurate and informative results for the betterment of treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What should not be done before a PET scan
Avoid exercise 24 hours prior to PET CT scan. The patient is advised to have a special diet for 12 to 24 hours by the doctor prior to the scan. One must avoid eating and drinking anything, but water, for half an hour before the scan.
Q. What preparation is necessary for a PET scan?
One should not have anything to eat or drink, except water, six hours prior to the PET CT scan. But the patient is required to take plenty of water since it would be beneficial until arrival. Taking regular medicines is also permitted but it should be discussed in advance with the doctor about this.
Q. What should one not do after a PET scan?
Following a PET scan, a patient would be instructed not to approach a pregnant woman and remain in close proximity for an extended period of time. One must avoid approaching babies or young children closer for several hours following a PET scan. This is due to the fact that the patient would be radioactive at this point.
Q. Who can take a brain PET CT Scan?
This test nevertheless is safe and effective for everybody except individuals under special conditions who basically have to remain cautious before taking the test.
Q. How to book an appointment online/offline through the carebox?
Book DOTA PET Scan appointment Online Near me at best price in Delhi/NCR from Carebox. Who offers PET CT scan at cheapest cost in Delhi NCR.
