Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or Computed Tomography (CT) scan is performed as an imaging test using a radioactive substance, which is known as a tracer to encounter any disease or bad blood flow.....
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or Computed Tomography (CT) scan is performed as an imaging test using a radioactive substance, which is known as a tracer to encounter any disease or bad blood flow to the heart. It is an important test to rehabilitate patients suffering from ventricular dysfunction because of coronary artery disease. The scan is performed to check if all areas of heart muscles are receiving enough blood. It also gives the information if there is any heart damage, or scar in the heart muscles. As the procedure identifies changes at a cellular level, it usually detects the onset of any disease before it becomes evident on any other imaging tests. The technology provides a pain-free and non-surgical option for detecting any malfunctioning in the body at an early stage.
A PET scan evaluates and measures some of the most important functions of the body such as blood flow, use of oxygen, and metabolism of glucose. The evaluation helps the doctors in deciding how well the organs and tissues of the body are functioning, and perform the treatment accordingly.
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Find out the re-emergence of cancerous cells
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Monitor the flow of blood to the heart muscles
Preparing for the PET CT scan
- When the patient is coming for the procedure, he/she is advised to bring along the doctor’s prescription and any previous scan reports. This helps the radiologist in devising a plan and also in generating appropriate reports for the patient.
- The patient is asked to remove the clothing and wear the gown provided by Medanta.
- He/she will also be asked to remove any metal objects such as belt or jewellery because metal objects may interfere with the scan.
- The patient is allowed to take routine cardiac medicines and water before the scan.
- If the patient is pregnant, it should be conveyed to the radiologist and also to the doctor before taking an appointment. Also, if the patient is breastfeeding, the information should be given so as to aware the radiologist because he excretes some radioactive substances in breast milk.
During PET CT scan
- The scan can be performed on an outpatient basis or while the patient is staying in the hospital. The process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. The line of action is as follows:
- The clinician will measure the blood pressure and will insert an intravenous (IV) line in a superficial vein of the arm.
- A radioactive material will be injected into the vein.
- According to the ‘glucose loading flow chart’, a required blood sugar level will be obtained.
- After 30-40 minutes, another injection will be given to the patient. After the injection, the patient has to lie on the scan table which will slide inside a large, circular opening where images will be taken.
- After the scan is complete, an intravenous line should be removed.
After PET CT scan
- Unless mentioned otherwise, the patient can resume with the daily activities as soon as the process is over.
- If there is something specific to be avoided, which varies from patient to patient, the technician at Medanta will notify the patient before he/she leaves the scan room.
- Following the law of radioactive decay, the substance will naturally decay in the body or it may pass out via urine.
- The only thing to remember is to drink plenty of water after the scan to help the radioactive material in flushing itself out.
The latest technology ‘PET CT scan’ that helps in detecting the abnormalities on cellular basis has a lot of benefits, but the process may come with some minor risks too.
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The scan gives an early and precise diagnosis. The procedure of PET CT scan is precise in staging and localisation of the patient. The scan offers accurate monitoring and treatment.
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The benefits of the scan usually outweigh the risks. However, some potent risks are: Radiation exposure: The body is exposed to harmful radiation, however, the amount of exposure is within the national recommended levels. In pregnant ladies: The doctor should know about the pregnancy so that he/she can prescribe another test to save the foetus from harmful radiations. Reactions from the contrast dye: In some cases, the doctor prescribes a tracer to be administered in the vein before the scan begins. The tracer may cause allergic reactions, although, this is very uncommon.
• The Biograph TruePoint PET CT machine used at Medanta uses exclusive technologies, such as HD•PET, TrueV, HI-REZ, LSO, Pico-3D, TrueC, and SureView that provides outstanding image quality which in turn improves the confidence in the diagnosis.
• Biograph TruePoint with the TrueV technology provides flexibility to lower the dose rates or scan time by 50%.
• Biograph TruePoint is built on the most popular and advanced CT platform of the world and increases the efficiency and diagnostic confidence.
