Description
A PET (positron emission tomography) scan is a type of imaging test. It uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to identify diseases in the body. By identifying the cellular level changes, PET may detect the early onset of diseases before other imaging tests identify them.PET scan is mainly used to evaluate organs such as brain and heart, most commonly PET scan is used to detect Cancer and evaluation of Cancer treatments.
This session with Dr Prafful, Consultant & Head, Dept of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Medicine gave interesting pointers on PET scan with a detailed Case based review.
Résumé
- PET scans are a valuable tool for evaluating metabolic, biochemical, and functional activity at a cellular level. The process involves injecting a short-lived radioisotope, most commonly FDG, which is then tracked within the body. The uptake of FDG highlights areas of high glucose metabolism, such as the brain, heart muscle, kidneys, and tumor cells.
- In cancer diagnosis and treatment, PET scans play a significant role in staging, assessing treatment response, and restaging. They are particularly useful in detecting marrow involvement and can aid in radiotherapy planning by precisely defining the disease burden. They also help avoid unnecessary testing by providing a comprehensive assessment of the disease.
- Patient preparation for a PET scan is crucial. Patients should be hydrated, maintain overnight fasting, and have controlled blood sugar levels. They should also avoid parental nutrition and IV fluids like glucose before the scan. During and after the injection, patients should remain seated and silent to prevent muscle metabolism from interfering with the results.
- PET scans have varying roles in different cancers. For example, they are often used in lymphoma for staging and post-therapy evaluation, and in bone and soft tissue tumors for detecting primary tumor involvement and metastases. While they have a limited role in initial breast cancer detection, they are valuable in metastatic staging and predicting outcomes after chemotherapy.
- PET scans are also useful in cardiology, particularly for myocardial viability assessments. They help differentiate between viable and scarred heart tissue, guiding decisions on interventions like CABG. In cases of fever of unknown origin, PET scans can identify the source of infection. Furthermore, PET/CT guided biopsies provide accurate tissue samples for diagnosis.
Exemple de certificat
À propos des intervenants
Dr Prafful V Jatale
Consultant & Head, Dept of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Medicine
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