What is PET Scan
PET scan is a scanning procedure that serves to detect heart disease, brain nerve disorders, as well as cancer and its spread. This examination is often done in conjunction with a CT scan (PET-CT) or MRI (PET-MRI). PET (positron emission tomography) scan uses a low dose of radioactive substance (radiotracer) so that it can show abnormal body cells, such as cancer cells. The type of radiotracer substance that is most often used is fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG).
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| PET Scan, Here's What You Need to Know |
When FDG is injected, the substance is absorbed by cells and then detected by a PET scan machine. FDG substances will be absorbed in much greater quantities by cancer cells. Therefore, the body part affected by cancer will look different when compared to the normal body part.
Unlike a CT scan or MRI, a PET scan examines the function and activity of body cells. While a CT scan or MRI is used to view damaged structures and organs. However, a PET scan can be done in conjunction with a CT scan or MRI.
PET Scan Indications
PET scans are performed by doctors to diagnose cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders of the brain.
Here is the explanation:
Cancer
PET scan serves to detect the location of cancer and see the spread of cancer in other parts of the body. Some cancers that can be scanned with a PET scan are:
- Brain cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Melanoma skin cancer
- prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Thyroid cancer
- Esophageal cancer
Heart and lung disease
Through a PET scan, doctors can see blood circulation, both to and from the heart and lungs. That way, doctors can detect diseases caused by blood flow disorders.
Some types of heart disease and lung disease that can be diagnosed with a PET scan are:
- Heart infection
- Heart attack
- Cardiac sarcoidosis
- Congestive heart failure
- Pulmonary embolism
- Coronary heart disease
- Lung sarcoidosis
In addition to detecting disease, PET scan results can help doctors determine the likelihood of successful treatment of heart disease, such as angioplasty and heart bypass surgery.
Brain nervous disorders
Doctors can use a PET scan to detect neurological disorders of the brain including:
- Dementia
- Alzheimer's disease
- Brain tumor
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Huntington's disease
PET Scan Warning
Before doing a PET scan, the doctor will inject a radiotracer into a vein. This drug has the risk of causing an allergic reaction, although it is rare. Therefore, tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions or diseases:
- Fear of tight spaces (claustrophobia)
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Morbid obesity
- Allergy to iodine
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Consumption of certain drugs
Before PET Scan
The following are some of the preparations that patients need to do before undergoing a PET scan procedure:
- Fasting for 4-6 hours before the PET scan and only drinking water
- Avoid consuming caffeinated drinks for at least 24 hours before the test, especially if a PET scan is done to diagnose heart disease
- Stop taking medications for diabetes
- Do not engage in strenuous activity or exercise for at least 24 hours before the examination.
- Remove all metal jewelry and body accessories
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing, or hospital robes if available.
- Consult a doctor if you need a sedative to treat claustrophobia during the examination
PET Scan Procedure
The PET scan procedure can take 30–60 minutes, depending on the part of the body being examined. The following are the steps taken by a doctor or medical officer in a PET scan:
- Give a radiotracer injection and ask the patient to sit still for 1 hour so that the drug reaches the cells of the body part being examined
- Ask the patient to lie down on a special bed, then push the patient into a PET scan tool that is shaped like a CT Scan machine
- Run a PET scan machine to scan the patient's organs in detail
- Instruct the patient to remain still during the examination so that the resulting image is clear and not blurry
- Reviewing the scan results if they are appropriate and focused before the patient leaves the examination site
The PET scan procedure is painless. However, the patient may feel uncomfortable, due to having to lie down for a long time.
Read more about: Diagnosis of heart attack
After PET Scan
After undergoing a PET scan, the patient can return home and carry out normal activities, unless the doctor gives other instructions.
Keep in mind, even if the amount of radiotracer given is very low, the substance may still be in the body for several hours or days. To help remove these substances from the body, patients are advised to drink more water.
Patients should not have contact for about 2-10 hours with pregnant women or children after undergoing a PET scan.
Patients can receive the results of the PET scan a few days after the examination. If the patient is known to suffer from health problems, the doctor will determine the treatment method according to the patient's condition.
PET Scan Side Effects
PET scan examination is considered safe to do. Even so, this procedure still carries a risk of side effects, including:
- Reddish pain or sores on the skin due to radiotracer injections
- Claustrophobia that recurs on examination
- Allergic reaction to radiotracer
- Test results are less accurate in people with uncontrolled diabetes
- Exposure to radiation even though the dose is small
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