PET Scan, A Detailed Overview

1. A PET scan stands for positron emission tomography. The PET scan uses a radioactive contrast dye to make the scan images of the inside of the body and its  structures. The PET scan can show the areas not functioning properly in detailed view.

PET scans can be combined with other imaging techniques like CT scan or MRI Scan known as PET-CT scan and PET-MRI scans. 

How Does PET Scan Work?

• PET scans use radiation to produce the images. Mostly the PET scan uses a radioactive tracer known as fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), it is a type of naturally occurring sugar.
• The radioactive tracer absorbs the radiations and exposes them, these emitted radiations are then captured by the PET scan machine.
• Your body absorbs this radioactive tracer dye, the abnormally active cells absorb more dye than normal cells. This is reflected in the scan images. The scan images hence produced help in detecting abnormal activity of cells such as cancer.

Preparation Before the PET Scan?

• You should not eat anything 4-6 hours before the scan although you can drink clear fluids like water
• You should avoid doing strenuous exercise at least from 24 hours before the test
• You should keep your valuables including jewellery at home as no jewellery or metal item including eye glasses, hairpins, necklace etc are not allowed during the scan
• You will be asked to change your clothes and ear a hospital gown for the scanning procedure
• If you have any kidney disease or diabetes or any other disease, you should inform your doctor beforehand
• If you are claustrophobic, you should tell your doctor

What Happens During the Scan?

• You will be injected with a radioactive tracer into your arm or hand about half or one hour before the scan. The waiting time is to give your body cells enough  time to absorb the contrast dye.
• You will be asked to remain calm and relax during the tracer injection and not talk or move around much so as to allow the tracer to get absorbed.
• For the scan, you will be asked to lie on the scan table, this scan table slides into the donut shaped MRI machine.
• You Need to lie perfectly still and be stable during the scan. Any movement can blur the scan images, thereby affecting  the interpretation and diagnosis and in turn the treatment and prognosis.
• Once the scan is done the scan table moves out of the scanner. The scanning process takes about 30-60 minutes.

What Happens After The PET Scan?

• Once the scan is done, you will be asked to stay back for a little while to monitor you for any allergic signs.
• The test reports are usually prepared on the same day or might take a day or two. 
• Once the reports are made, they are sent to your doctor for further evaluation and discussion with you.
• You are suggested to drink plenty of water after the scan to help the radioactive tracer get out of your body at a faster rate.

Learn more about the fascinating world of rare dog breeds in our latest blog post, ‘Exploring the Marvels of Rare Dog Breeds.‘ Click here to delve into the diversity and wonder of these extraordinary canines!

What Are The Risks Associated with PET Scan?

• The PET scan involves radiations which possess a very small risk of potential tissue damage.
• The radiation dose that you are exposed during a PET scan are in the safety limits
• The radioactive tracer used during the scan can pose some allergic reactions which may include-
  • Hives
  • Nausea
  • Itching
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling
  • Dizziness
• If you are  breastfeeding you should avoid taking radiation based scans unless indicated by your doctor. In case you are getting the scan, you should avoid getting close to the children and pregnant ladies. You should not feed your baby for at least 2-3 meals until the radioactive tracer is flushed out of your body.

Learn more about Labradorii, the best human companion, and discover why they make such wonderful pets.

Conclusion

A PET scan can help diagnose many diseases, particularly cancer. Cancer often proves to be fatal, if left untreated. Therefore the timely diagnosis of cancer becomes important, a PET scan is capable of detecting cancerous activity in its early stages as well.  Search for the best PET scan centre near you. The best PET scan centre offers credibility in their report which helps the doctor to plan a viable treatment plan, increasing prognosis.

In Addition

Ganesh Paramedical College offers the best Paramedical Courses in India both Pathology and Radiology Courses in Delhi-NCR Region. It has been running over a period of 15 years. Our college is a division of Ganesh Diagnostic & Imaging Centre Pvt Ltd, Delhi from the time of its inception by Dr. Ravin Sharma, MD Radiologist. Every individual who aspires to achieve great heights in the field of healthcare, if he/she  wishes to have any expectations from how a Good Paramedical College would look like, this is the place for you!