Positron Emission Tomography
Positron Emission Tomography is a scanning technique that allows us to measure in detail the functioning of distinct areas of the human brain while the patient is comfortable, conscious and alert. PET represents a type of functional imaging, unlike X-rays or CT scans, which show only structural details within the brain. The differences between these types of imaging don’t end there.
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
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A line of response (LOR) indicates what two crystals detected the event. A unique line of response is identified by the angle and the radius of a perpendicular back to the center of the field of view. As additional events are detected, the lines of response are recorded. Each LOR is plotted using polar coordinates (angle vs. radius). The composite results in a sinusoidal plot of LORs through a single point and is referred to as a sinogram. The sinogram is comprised of numerous, overlapping single point plots. The matrix size of the sinogram is related to the size of the transverse field of view. Following acquisition, filtered back projection algorithms are applied to the data to produce the image.
The brain function being studied during a PET scan determines which positron-emitting radiopharmaceutical is used. Oxygen-15 can be used to label oxygen gas for the study of oxygen metabolism, carbon monoxide for the study of blood volume, or water for the study of blood flow in the brain. Similarly, fluorine-18 can be attached to a glucose molecule to produce 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) for use in the observation of the brain’s sugar metabolism.
PET is the only method that can detect and display metabolic changes in tissue, distinguish normal tissue from those that are diseased, such as in cancer, differentiate viable from dead or dying tissue, show regional blood flow, and determine the distribution and
Fused PET/CT is a recently developed technology that couples the functional information of PET with the anatomic details of CT (8).
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
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
Computed tomography (CT) scan is a non-invasive medical imagery procedure that combines the use of x-rays and computer to generate tomographic parts of the area scanned. CT scan are also referred as CAT scans and they produce detailed images of structures inside the body such as internal organs and bones. CT scans can be used for treatment, diagnose and monitor condition. CT scans in screening and diagnosis are to detect cancer, determine whether a cancer has spread throughout the body or returned to the body after the treatment, and to determine effects of heart attack or myocardial infection on areas of the heart. Identify areas of the heart muscles that would benefit from a procedure such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.
PET stands for Positron emission tomography. PET is a medical diagnostic imaging procedure that uses nuclear medicine in a noninvasive way and is virtually painless. It provides physicians with the ability to visualize the cellular and molecular functions of the tissue and organs inside the body. (1) PET scans can help to detect diseases, such as cancer, and help to find ways
PET scans can identify several cancers, heart diseases, and brain disorders before other examinations determine conditions therefore physicians are able to better diagnose conditions. Factors which cause error in diagnosis includes allergic reactions, small amount of radiation exposure to fetus as well as breastfeeding from tracer drug (Mayo Clinic, n.d,
Nuclear Medical Imaging (NMI) uses small amounts of radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers to diagnose, evaluate and treat a variety of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological and skeletal disorders (McKinnis, 2014; RadiologyInfo.org (2014b). In comparison with other radiographic procedures, except for intravenous injections, NMI is noninvasive and diagnoses disease based on the physiological or functional changes of the tissue, organ, bone or system within the body rather than structural changes of anatomy (McKinnis, 2014; RadiologyInfo.org, 2014b; Smith, n.d.). These radiotracers are either injected, ingested or inhaled as a gas into the body and absorbed by the organ or area of the body to be examined
The technology that is being investigated is the PET scan. The PET scan functions as a result of the specific atomic properties of positrons which are subatomic particles that have the opposite charge of electrons but the same mass. The PET scanner detects these positrons which are emanated by the radioactive chemicals attached to a chemical the body naturally metabolizes (Positron Emission Tomography, 2014). The PET scan is used in the fields of oncology, neurology, and cardiology to determine the flow of blood, the functionality of the organs, the health of heart tissue, the movement of cancer, and so forth (Positron Emission Tomography, n.d.). This technology works by inserting the patient with a radioactive material through injection,
Positron emission tomograph (PET) is a medical imaging procedure that provides unique information about how an organ or system in the body is functioning. PET scans are mainly used to assess cancers, neurological diseases and cardiovascular disease. PET scan involves the injection of a small amount of a ‘positron-emitting’ radioactive material, often referred to as a radiopharmaceutical. Images of the body are then taken using a PET scanner. The camera used is able to detect emissions coming from the injected radiopharmaceutical. The specialised computer attached to the camera manipulates the image creating two and three-dimensional images of the area that is being examined. Areas where the injected radiopharmaceutical gathers appear much ‘brighter’
“Positron emission tomography (PET) is a unique test that uses positron emitters. It can be used in different parts of the body. PET scanning can be combined with anatomical imaging such as CT and MRI, which enhanced the usefulness of the PET. The PET scanning test are essential tools to diagnose various kind of diseases with abnormal characteristics. PET can be use in Oncology routinely. In Neurology, PET is used to determine the diagnosis of dementia by detecting beta-amyloid in the brain. In cardiology, it measures cardiac perfusion and assesses pathogenesis of intractable cardiac pathology (Batsuri, 2015).
Positron emission tomography (PET) enables the visualisation of organs and their functionality. PET scans utilise positron-emitting radioactive materials called radioisotopes (also known as radionuclides). Common radioisotopes and their respective half-lives include 11Carbon (~20 minutes), 13Nitrogen (~10 minutes), 15Oxygen (~2 minutes), and 18Fluorine (~110 minutes). These radioisotopes can be incorporated into radiopharmaceuticals (also known as radiotracers) to detect diseases and disorders. These radioisotopes enable the detection of differences in both metabolic and chemical activity in the body. The decay of a radioisotope results in the emission of positrons. The positrons are absorbed by organs and tissues of the body, and the PET scanner
PET scan stands for positron emission tomography and is a type of nuclear imaging technique. The PET scan also measures the metabolic activities of the brain. It allows the doctors to check if there are diseases in the body. This scan uses radioactive tracers and radionuclide. The tracer is injected into the vain in our arm and is absorbed by the surrounding tissues which are picked by the scanner. The body will react to the tracer so that it can indicate the condition of the tissues. The PET scan can also measure blood flow, oxygen use, drug activity, glucose metabolism and tissue pH in the body. PET scans are commonly used to detect if the person has cancer, heart problems or brain disorders. Radionuclides which are used in the PET scan are
Radiographic images are produced through a process that requires, “... an X-ray machine that produces a small burst of radiation that passes through the body, recording an image on photographic film or a special detector; various parts of the body absorb the X-rays in varying degrees” (Chest X-ray, 2016). Depending on how dense the structure impeding the flow of the beam is; X-rays are absorbed by the denser structures and not reach the film, presenting with the whitened markings; moreover, X-rays can penetrate thinner structure and reach the film, presenting with darkness. The varying degrees of absorption are represented through varying shades on the spectrum of black and white. For example, fat may appear gray, but tissue and organs that are denser will absorb more X-rays and appear a lighter gray. The ability to differentiate between the structures through varying opacities can represent abnormalities within the body; for example, fluid and opaque markings within the normally air-filled lungs.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a type of nuclear medicine imaging which uses radiotracers or also called as radiopharmaceuticals − minute amount of radioactive substances-labelled bio-compounds. This test shows the function of tissues and organs such as sugar metabolism, oxygen use and blood flow instead of mere structural images of, for instance blood flow to and from organs illustrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). This feature makes it a useful diagnostic tool to help physicians detect and evaluate severity of various diseases or medical conditions including cancers (staging). PET may identify the early onset of diseases before it undergoes anatomical changes which make it apparent on other imaging
One form of detection is having a PET scan. A positron emission tomography or PET scan is a test that uses a radioactive substance known as a tracer to find diseases in the body or determine if there are cancer cells growing in the body. PET scans can show how organs and tissue function in the body. This type of scan is different from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a computed tomography (CT) scan. PET scans use small amounts of radioactive substance known as a tracer. The tracer is given through an IV located on the inside of the elbow. The tracer travels through your blood and absorbs in organs and tissue. This procedure helps radiologist find the concerned area and makes it clearer to read the reports. “A PET