PET Scan Research Paper

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.

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

What would Wilhelm Roentgen, the father of X-ray, say about the technological discoveries in radiology today? Since the start of X-rays in 1895 significant advancements have revolutionized the field of radiology. One illustrates how different scanners have improved, in addition how picture archiving communication system can assist doctors, and finally the outlook on the future of radiology.

In nuclear medicine diagnosing techniques, a very small amount of radioactive material is introduced into the body. Because medical isotopes are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues, the emissions they produce can provide crucial information about a particular type of cancer or disease. Information gathered during a nuclear medicine technique is more comprehensive than other imaging procedures because it describes organ function, not just structure. The result is that many diseases and cancers can be diagnosed much earlier.

FDG-Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is not routinely performed as part of the diagnostic work up for Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, it is not the standard of care to rule in or rule out a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

As with MRI, Computed Tomography can also be used to scan the body from head to toe. The procedures performed in CT can be either invasive or non-invasive and are used to visualize both soft tissues and bone. CT is utilized for both biopsies and drainage studies. This modality uses algorithms to produce scans of the various body parts, which need to be changed when imaging soft tissues versus bone tissue. A CT scan can also produce 360 degree images with just one scan.

When it comes to medical imaging, there are several different options to choose from for different testing. There are similarities and differences; pros and cons to each. This paper will discuss MRI, CT, and ultrasound. They each have important things to know regarding radiation dose, cost, and reasons to use one over another.

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

and treatment of Alzheimer’s. In particular, MRI scans and PET scans are the two main imaging techniques used to help quantify the extent of Alzheimer’s disease in patients. MRI scans are able to measure the size of various structures in the brain, while PET scans are used in conjunction with radioactive tracers to measure functional changes in brain energy metabolism as well as to measure the amount of beta-amyloid, a misfolded protein which is characteristic of Alzheimer’s pathology. [7] [8]

There is a great difference between a CAT scan, a PET scan, and an MRI scan. A CAT or CT scan is an acronym for computed tomography scanning. A CAT scan is basically a diagnostic procedure that combines multiple x-rays and computer enhancement to produce three-dimensional images of internal body structures. A PET scan stands for positron emission tomography, which is a procedure that detects or discovers the journey of a radioactive labeled substance, such as glucose through the body. The MRI provides the clearest and most complete images of internal anatomy. The MRI has magnets that respond to hydrogen atoms in the body by sending signals to a computer, which analyzes the information to produce three-dimensional images.

The PET is used when the doctor has to inspect the blood flow, oxygen intake and metabolism of the tissues and organs. PET scan is commonly used to observe the growth of cancer cells, to observe the heart, the brain. PET scan is also able to trace neurological disorders such as Alzheimer and evaluate strokes.3,4

A PET scan does not only look at the size and shape of the brain, is also looks at and assesses the function. Meaning it tells you how the brain is working. There is little doubt that as we age structural changes happen in our brain. A way to test for this is to use neuroimaging techniques while performing certain tasks (i.e. recall or reading of names, etc. to test memory).

In case of longer emission acquisition times per bed position increase the PET image quality will obtain, but this should be balanced with patient relief and ability to durability longer procedure. Patient motion through both the CT and PET image acquisitions will reduce image quality and image artifacts will happen, usually each bed position of the PET scan takes 3 to 5 minutes, for the thin and small patients that time is dropped to 2 minutes in some PET-CT centers, and that time can drop to 1 minute in case of extreme pain or claustrophobia patients.

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.