CT imaging provides excellent anatomic information.Ĭombined PET/CT scanners perform almost all PET scans today. A radiologist views and interprets these images on a computer monitor. It helps doctors evaluate how well organs and tissues are functioning.ĬT imaging uses special x-ray equipment, and in some cases a contrast material, to produce multiple images of the inside of the body. It is not currently available everywhere.Ī PET scan measures important body functions, such as metabolism. PET/MRI is an emerging imaging technology. Single photon emission CT/CT (SPECT/CT) and positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) units can perform both exams at the same time. This leads to more precise information and a more exact diagnosis. Image fusion allows the doctor to connect and interpret information from two different exams on one image. Doctors call this image fusion or co-registration. Many imaging centers combine nuclear medicine images with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to produce special views. The camera and a computer produce pictures and supply molecular information. A special camera detects gamma ray emissions from the radiotracer. It accumulates in the area under examination. Or you may swallow it or inhale it as a gas, depending on the exam. You will usually receive the radiotracer in an injection. FDG is just one of many radiotracers in use or in development. This allows your doctor to detect disease before it may be seen on other imaging tests. This higher rate can be seen on PET scans. Cancer cells are more metabolically active and may absorb glucose at a higher rate. The most common radiotracer is F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a molecule similar to glucose. They can also bind to specific proteins in the body. They accumulate in tumors or regions of inflammation. Radiotracers are molecules linked to, or "labeled" with, a small amount of radioactive material. These tests use radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers to help diagnose and assess medical conditions. Except for intravenous injections, it is usually painless. They can also show whether you are responding to treatment. This gives them the potential to find disease in its earliest stages. Nuclear medicine exams pinpoint molecular activity. These include cancer, heart disease, gastrointestinal, endocrine, or neurological disorders, and other conditions. Doctors use nuclear medicine to diagnose, evaluate, and treat various diseases. Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive material called radiotracers. Positron emission tomography, also called PET imaging or a PET scan, is a type of nuclear medicine imaging.
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