PET is also known as Positron Emission Tomography scans people with expertise know how to read a PET scan report. The primary use of these scans is to detect the growth and development of disease in the human body. Each year almost 2 million people get a PET scan. It can help with the detection of a wide range of cancers. However, some cancers cannot be detected using a PET scan. The primary aim of the PET scan is to reveal the biochemical and metabolic changes in the human body due to specific medical issues. So, if a person knows how to read a PET scan report, it can be beneficial for them.
A PET scan is quite similar to a CT scan. It uses high-frequency radiation and creates a three-dimensional image of the internal body organs. However, the PET scan process uses specialized dyes with radioactive contrast to detect the abnormalities or growth of a micro-organism on a cellular level.
Why Is A PET Scan Used?
PET scan is commonly used to detect and treat cancer. The scan uses a dye that is injected into the patient’s body. The location of injecting the dye strictly depends on which organ to be observed. This scan is an outpatient process that is sometimes recommended by doctors to even view the patient’s blood flow.
Besides diagnosing cancer growth, PET scans can help the examiner determine the strength and functionality of the internal body organs. Unfortunately, however, some types of cancer cannot be detected in the PET scan. The entire process takes about three hours to complete.
The PET scan detects how various diseases unfold in the patient’s body. Besides cancer and heart diseases, various other diseases can be detected using the PET scan. Some of these diseases are listed under:
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s Diseases
- Tumors
- Effects of the heart attack
- Renal changes
Read more about: difference between pet scan and ct scan
How To Read A PET Scan?
Reading a PET scan requires professional skills and expert radiological information. PET scans are almost similar to CT scans. Therefore, these tests are a great help in giving a clear picture of the internal body organs. However, many people are curious to know how to read a PET scan, but it requires some technical information.
Diagnostic imaging techniques like CT scan, MRI, and X-rays can only detect the body’s internal organs’ change in shape and mass. However, a PET scan can identify several physiological markers behind many diseases.
also read more: a guide to understanding of ultrasound images
Detection Of Cancer Cells
Cancer is a life-threatening condition characterized by the abnormal growth of infected cells. These infected cells divide exponentially, feeding on the healthy cells. It can lead to the death of the patient.
PET scan is best known for detecting abnormal changes in the human body on the cellular level. The cancer cells appear as big spots in the PET scan. It is because the cancer cells have a higher metabolic rate and appear as large dark-colored spots in the PET scan report.
PET scans also help in detecting the potential damage caused by the disease. The doctors can know about the survival chances of the patient as well. PET scan must be interpreted carefully as the non-cancerous cells can sometimes appear like cancerous cells. The scan also assists the doctor in knowing whether the cancer treatment is working or not.
Brain Disorders
The human brain is one of the most vital organs of the human body. The slightest defect in the brain can lead to life-threatening and sometimes fatal medical conditions. Unfortunately, not every diagnostic technique is powerful enough to detect the growth of brain tumors in the body.
Through PET scan, it becomes easier for the doctor to identify the clusters formed in the brain. The tumor appears in the PET scan and is observed in the form of a tennis ball-like structure. It helps evaluate certain brain tumors, nervous disorders, Alzheimer’s, and seizures.
Heart Diseases
The human heart pumps oxygenated blood around the body. The PET scan is a great test that helps diagnose clogged arteries and veins. In contrast to MRI and CT scans, the PET scan is known to detect the disease before it changes the shape and functionality of various organs.
Moreover, the PET scan also reveals the areas of the human heart with the least or no blood flow. It also gives the doctor an idea of whether by-pass or angioplasty suits the heart.
Risks Associated With PET Scan
Any imaging technique that uses high-frequency radiation comes with certain health risks. However, the complexity of these risks varies from person to person.
Radiation
High-beam of radiation increases the risk of getting infected with skin cancer. However, with almost every diagnostic technique used when the human body comes in contact with high-frequency rays, the risk of carcinoma growth increases in the body. Consulting a doctor can help you in reducing the risk of cancer as they can schedule the scans or tests with the required gap in between.
Dermatitis
Skin is the most sensitive and the largest organ of the human body. For instance, some people have sensitive skin and are more likely to have rashes or dermatitis (skin inflammation). These reactions can be mild or chronic.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a natural process. However, certain tests and scans are simply done on pregnant people due to the risk to the growing fetus. To detect the fetus’s growth and development, doctors recommend various tests. But, a PET scan must only be done in an emergency. It is because a high beam of radiation can harm the baby, causing mutation in the DNA of the fetus.
Swelling & Bruising
PET scan requires tracers to detect changes in the body on cellular levels. These tracers are injected into the body. However, in some cases, bruising and swelling are seen in the areas where the needle is inserted. In addition, the leakage of tracers into the veins can cause swelling and bruising.
Breastfeeding
PET scan uses tracers that can be harmful to breastfeeding. In addition, it can cause health issues in the baby and the mother. So, it is recommended to inform the doctor beforehand. Then, the doctor will guide whether to continue breastfeeding or stop immediately. However, it is better not to breastfeed the infant until the radiotracers are flushed out of the body. It may take a few hours or days, depending on the amount of tracers injected into the body.
How is PET Scan Performed?
PET scan is one of the few diagnostic techniques to detect cancer growth in the early stages. It uses x-rays and offers better results than a CT scan. However, performing and reading a PET scan requires expertise and experience. Below listed is the way how PET scan is performed:
- To begin with, the tracers are injected into the patient’s arm through veins. Then the patient waits an hour for the tracers to absorb in the body.
- The time required to absorb the tracers depends on the body’s scan area. Therefore, smaller areas consume less time and vice versa.
- The patient’s movement is restricted as the patient wait for the tracers to absorb in the body. As for the brain scan, the patient is strictly prohibited from watching television, reading, and listening to music.
- After an hour, the scan is performed. It takes almost 45 minutes for the scan to complete.
- However, if the patient is recommended additional tests, the PET scan might take more than two hours to complete.
What Happens After PET Scan
After the scan, it is recommended to maintain a safe distance from children and expecting women because of the presence of the radioactive tracers in the body. The radioactive stays in the body for a few hours to a few days.
Drinking plenty of water can help the patient flush the dye from the body in less time. The result of the PET scan can be obtained in a few days. The doctor can help you in reading the PET scan. It prevents panic and anxiety in the patient.
Final Words
PET scan is also known as Positron Emission Tomography. It uses high beam radiation to scan the internal organs on the cellular level. Unlike the CT scan and ultrasounds, the PET scan identifies cancer growth at early stages. Also, conducting and reading a PET scan requires specialized skills. However, certain risks are associated with the PET scan depending on the patient’s condition. Consult experts as they know how to read a pet scan report.
The PET scan uses radioactive tracers to capture the image of the internal human organs. In the Pet scan report you can identify the disease early and the scan is helpful in diagnosing at an early stage, which makes the treatment easier. In comparison, the CT scan and ultrasound detect the problems in the body when the body organ begins changing its shape due to disease.