PET scans use radioactive tracers which are predominantly excreted through the kidneys but routinely do not adversely affect patients’ renal function. The tracer which is typically FDG is naturally excreted and drinking extra water after the scan can help to excrete the tracer faster. It is always good to ask your doctor if there is a plan to provide a pre-scan protocol or other safety measures to protect your renal function.
Understanding PET Scans
PET scans, or Positron Emission Tomography scans, are imaging studies that show us information while showing us the metabolic processes of the body. PET scans have been extremely helpful in diagnosing and monitoring cancers, heart disease, or some neurologic processes.
The Kidney’s Role in the PET Scan Context
It is mainly excreted by the kidney from the blood and eliminated in urine.PET medical imaging can often demonstrate the uptake and excretion activity in the kidneys and/or bladder. In light of this.
Kidney Cancer
PET has not been much involved in the diagnosis and management of renal cell cancer. Most renal masses can reliably be assigned to being benign or malignant, based on contrast-enhanced or MRI examinations, using established diagnostic algorithms.
Impact on Kidney Function
No damage to either healthy or diseased kidneys: Previous studies examining the differences in scan outcomes in healthy population versus a non-healthy population showed clearly no difference in either distribution or metabolism.
No Special Preparation Needed: The protocols for performing a PET scan in patients with kidney disease usually do not have any adaptations in tracer dose or timing except in very rare or severely advanced circumstances.
Conclusion
While renal disease does not impact values at the internal reference points on CT studies, patients with renal failure do not require an increased uptake phase and should remain at 60 minutes as the standard uptake phase. The next step for review is to consider the dialysis regime and the distribution of and determine if there is the best time to avail of the dialysis regime and still maximize the appropriate result through PET scan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can a PET scan affect your kidneys?
There are some, although usually very rare, possible effects on the kidneys in patients with underlying kidney disease.
Q. What damages kidney function?
While a PET scan is typically a safe procedure and radioactive tracer will normally leave the body quickly, there can be some possible effects on the kidneys.
Q. What improves kidney function?
The number one factor for improving your kidney function includes maintaining a healthy body weight, controlling blood pressure, diabetes, hydration, and lastly.
Q. Can we do a PET scan if creatinine is high?
Typically it is safe to have a PET scan with high creatinine levels,having high creatinine may limit or eliminate the use of intravenous contrast during the CT portion of the PET/CT scan.
Q. What are the negative effects of a PET scan?
It is rare to experience allergic reactions, and while you will have a small amount of radiation exposure, it is still a form of exposure that you should think about if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
