Positron emission tomography (PET), also known as PET scan or PET imaging helps to find out various diseases in the body. A PET scan produces 3 dimension images of biological functions. It uses a small number of radiotracers, computer and a special kind of camera to evaluate functions of internal organs. Radiotracers are either swallowed or given through injection. A PET/CT scan evaluate body changes at the cellular level, PET/CT can identify various diseases when they are unidentified in various other tests, a PET/CT helps to detect a disease at an early stage.
Center for diagnostic imaging Miami advises PET/CT scan for various diseases like cancer, brain disorders, heart, etc. It is a very helpful tool to understand the development of a disease. A combined PET/CT helps to provide clear pictures of the body functions and can pinpoint the abnormalities which otherwise go unnoticed on other imaging tests.
Why PET/CT scan is performed?
PET/CT scan is performed to get information on what is wrong with the body on a cellular level. It gives information about blood flow, glucose, and oxygen used by the body for certain body activities. It is an outpatient procedure; the scan typically takes typically 30 to 60 minutes.
Pet/CT scan is performed in case of:
- Cancer
- Brain diseases
- Heart problems
Cancer cells are spotted as bright dots on Pet/CT scan, as they have a higher metabolic rate than the noncancerous cells, they can be easily differentiated with the help of scan. PET/CT is also beneficial to detect the extent to which cancer has spread, the scan helps your doctor in finding out if the cancer is restricted to a certain area or the cancer cells have slacked off to nearby areas.
In the case of heart problems, the blood flow is decreased and PET/CT can reveal the problems in the tissues which have less blood flow than the healthy tissues.
To detect what is wrong with the brain; tracers are attached to glucose, as glucose is a major fuel for the brain. Through PET scan it can be detected which areas of the brain use glucose at the highest rate.
How to prepare for PET/CT scan
You will be asked to refrain from any strenuous physical activity 24 hours before the test.
You will be asked to stop consuming food with high carbohydrates content
On the day of the exam, you will be asked to not consume anything 6 hours preceding the exam.
If you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding, you should tell your physician before the scan.
Conclusion
PET/CT scan is an important scan which can be done at diagnostic imaging Miami. It helps to detect various underlying conditions at an early stage.
 "How Pet CT scan helps to find out underlying diseases in the body")
