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Necessary Measures For A PET CT Scan

PET scan is a nuclear scan that combines positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT). It provides a detailed image of organs and tissues in the body, showing areas of high metabolism with extra activity.

How does PET CT work?

PET CT scans use a special radioactive material that is injected into your body through an intravenous line. The tracer collects in the tissues and organs of interest, and a specialised camera takes pictures as it spreads through your body. These pictures are combined to create 3D images of your insides.

Let’s talk about the measures to be taken in a PET CT scan

Before the PET CT scan, you must have a Blood Urea and Serum Creatinine blood (KFT/RFT) test to determine how well your kidneys are working.

Because exercise raises the heart rate, it should be avoided.

You can get a full-body checkup without a doctor's prescription, but if the patient is sick or in pain, you'll need a doctor's prescription.

People with diabetes should see their doctor before making any dietary changes.

Before the test, take your thyroid/diabetic medicine as instructed.

Six hours before the test, stop eating. As a result, it is ideal for making an early morning appointment with an empty stomach. Again, water is recommended as a technique of attaining a precise result.

Bracelets and belts made of metal are not allowed because they can interfere with scanning equipment. 

Arrive early at the test centre to avoid any unnecessary anxiety or stress.

About for an hour or 90 minutes, a tracer is given. It's nothing to be concerned about; it'll be just like any other injection. If you experience an allergic response, visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Scanning can take anything from 30 to 45 minutes.  Some people feel claustrophobic or frightened because of the enclosed atmosphere. After the technician has double-checked the required photos, you’ll be removed from the machine in stages.

It may take up to two days to flush the tracer from your system, so drink plenty of water.

Medical experts will examine the scan which normally takes two days. If you have been asked to get a PET CT scan done then we recommend you to check out our full preparatory blog  for a PET CT scan as it might make the procedure a bit  comfortable and smooth.

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CT Scan vs PET CT Scan Explained in 4 Easy Points

There is a lot of confusion between CT Scan and PET CT Scan. Majority of the people misunderstand both the techniques because of their primary diagnosis category being imaging tests. The following article will help you understand the major difference between the two imaging techniques in 4 easy steps.

A CT Scan machine has a tunnel-like structure in which a motorised X-ray source rotates around the gantry with a circular donut shaped opening. In the course of examination the patient lies on a bed that swiftly moves through the gantry and at the same time the X-ray tube rotates around the patient, firing narrow X-ray beams through the body. In PET CT Scan an additional radiotracer is inserted into the bloodstream which then accumulates in the different parts of the body. These radiotracers emit gamma rays which are identified by the cameras to prepare a detailed report with hot spots and cold spots. 

CT Scan falls under non invasive procedure which means that no break is created in the skin and there is no contact with the mucosa. In simple words nothing enters your body physically whereas PET is an invasive technique of examining. Positrons are injected in the body to carry out PET Scan. 

Computed Tomography produces 2D results whereas PET helps to create 3D results. This is one of the major reasons why PET scans are more reliable and accurate in the diagnosis of cancer and other medical conditions where imaging procedures are required. 

CT Scans are majorly used in the cases where diagnosis is related to bones and to find abnormalities related to soft tissues on the contrary PET scan is helpful in finding abnormalities related to biological processes in the body.

There are several other differences between CT Scan and PET CT Scan highlighted in our detailed blog. Do check our blog on  CT Scan and PET CT Scan.

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The Role of PET CT Scan in Cancer Detection and Treatment

A PET scan effectively detects the abnormal activity in a human body and can be more sensitive than other imaging tests. Doctors use PET CT Scan to provide more information about cancer as the machine detects the cancerous traces present in different parts of the human body. 

Types of cancer:

Brain - PET CT Scan is effective in showing how the brain and other tissues are working. Other imaging tests, such as MRI scans and CT scans, only reveal the brain’s structure. Hence PET scan is much more accurate than any other scan.

Cervical - A PET/CT scan effectively detects the spread of cervical cancer in other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes and even other organs like the lungs or liver.

Breast - PET CT scans can detect breast cancer only up to a certain limit. This is because large tumours are easier to diagnose than small ones.

Lung - A PET scan of the lungs is used to detect lung cancer, but it also gives physicians a better perspective on the overall health of the lungs by combining the test with CT scans.

Pancreatic -  This scan is used to produce a three-dimensional colour image of your body. The scanning shows how well the tissues are working and can be used to diagnose cancer.

There are many other forms of cancer and all of them can be managed better with early detection. PET CT Scan plays a pivotal role in detecting cancer early. If you wish to read about it in detail, do not miss out on this remarkably informative article on PET CT scan that sums up a large deal of information around PET CT scan and presents it in an easy way for a layperson to understand. Here’s the link to it - the role PET CT Scan plays in accelerating the cure.