PET Scan History

Before the PET scan the patient is given an injection containing a small amount of FDG. The patient then must sit quietly for about 60 minutes. During this time they must sit and relax. They are not get up and walk around, talk, read or do anything else that would require them to

There are different methods for assessment of radiotracer uptake by normal and pathologic tissues, such as visual inspection, the standardized uptake value (SUV) and the glucose metabolic rate. Visual inspection in analysis of PET-CT results is used by comparing PET and CT data, as well as viewing fused PET-CT images. SUVs are used for semi-quantification of FDG uptake. Another method of quantification of dynamic PET results is the more complex glucose metabolic rate calculation (Kapoor et al, 2004).

In both X-rays and CT scans, a form of radiation is emitted and travels through the body, and a detector receives the unabsorbed rays and transmits them to a computer. The physics behind PET scanning is quite different. Basically, a person is injected with a radioactive substance. This substance begins the process of

Fused PET/CT is a recently developed technology that couples the functional information of PET with the anatomic details of CT (8).

FMRI scanners are more precise than a PET scan as they record activity in all parts of the brain. Unlike the pet, fmri scans do not use radioactive substances and an injection isn't necessary. This scan is used to

The PET scanning is particularly useful in detecting cancer because most cancer cells use more glucose than normal tissues. In lung cancer, pet scans are sometimes used to observe for cancer in particular areas such as the lymph nodes, in the chest or to demonstrate the spreading activity of cancer cells to other areas the body. This would help the doctor to take a further decision about the treatment of a

In the world of medical diagnostic imaging, modern advances in imaging technology allow Health Care Professionals (HCPs) to look inside a person’s body through the development of detailed pictures or scans in order to diagnose disease, trauma, or abnormalities within a patient. Computed Tomography (CT), Plain X-rays (Radiographs) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are three of the exams used by HCPs today. CT and MRI can be interchangeable in many instances and both provide more details than a radiograph. Since that is the case, why don’t HCPs just use CT every time? In order to answer that question HCPs must have a thorough understanding of each modality and weigh the pros and cons of each exam in order to determine which one is best

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) imaging has many uses in today’s world. Your doctor may order a PET scan to analyze blood flow, oxygen intake, the metabolism of your organs and tissues. It’s an invaluable apparatus, to help acquire the precise whereabouts of a tumor. Unfortunately, to acquire a good PET exam a patient must stay perfectly still while taking 80-120 minutes. This is a daunting task for patients that cannot control their movements. Fortunately, with the use of new technology, a group of researchers are toiling on a device that will enable patients to receive a PET exam of their head.

If you’ve never heard of a PET-CT scanner, you’re not alone. PET-CT scanners are integrated scanning devices that combine images from a positron emission tomography (PET) scan with a computed tomography (CT) scan. When the scans are performed at the same time and with the same machine, they produce detailed pictures of tissues and organs that also reveal any abnormal activity. With a PET-CT scan, doctors can identify cancers and determine their stage.

The PET scan also will show two and three-dimensional images of the brain; however, the PET scan measures brain activity. This is done by injecting radioactive isotopes into the blood stream. The isotopes attach to

In the modern years, medical imaging has become a very important aspect of medical field since its origin in the 1970s Image processing has developed into an integral part of medical science ranging from PET scan to melanoma detection. Both the hardware and software required for Image processing have improved drastically resulting in today’s world where the medical professionals can recognise and diagnose thousands of diseases using this technology.

Clinical applications of PET in neurological and cardiological fields do also exist [2]. For example, joint PET and CT brain scans are used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease (see figure 10) [18]. Other uses of PET

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography (PET) are both non-invasive tools used to map brain functions and screen for diseases. MRI scans produce clear and detailed images of one’s brain structure by detecting/transmitting/displaying radio signals into an image. By looking into soft tissue they can analyze if parts of the brain are not functioning properly. For example, if someone experienced head trauma an MRI could detect swelling or bleeding. PET scans monitor the consumption of radioactively labeled glucose in the brain, and represents the different activity level using different colours. If activity level is low it could mean there is damage of sorts, or the brain isn’t functioning properly. These devices have

The photons are then tracked by a tomographic scintillation counter, and the information is processed by a computer to provide both image and data on blood flow and metabolic processes within bodily tissues. PET scans are particularly useful for diagnosing brain tumor and the effects of strokes on the brain, along with various mental illnesses. They are also used in brain research and in mapping of brain functions.

Modern medicine has undergone major advancements over the past years. One of these developments include the capacity to retrieve crucial information about the human body and its health beyond the use of manual diagnostic techniques. This is referred to as Medical or Diagnostic Imaging.