A Guide to PET CT Scans

Article Written By: Kathryn Dawson

A PET CT scan is a valuable scan used today by doctors to determine what is wrong with a patient. It consists of a combination of the PET and the CT scan. The images, when used together, provide a powerful diagnostic tool that can be used to detect abnormalities with the cells in the body. Because the images are so detailed and intricate, it is generally used to detect problems on a cellular level only, although it could also be used effectively to diagnose all sorts of problems including broken bones.

The body is exposed to radioactive material. When the radiation passes through the body gamma rays are emitted from the cells. Imaging software then interprets the energy rays being given off and provides it in the form of images that can be viewed on a screen. By having a picture of the energy being given off in a particular area of the body, doctors can see if there are any abnormalities in the cells or tissue or organs in the area being investigated.

A CT scan is often used for the brain and is most commonly used in the event a patient has undergone a serious head trauma. When used in combination with a PET scan however it provides a very powerful diagnostic tool that can easily display tumors, cancerous growths or other problems in the body.

Surgery is another way doctors can see what is wrong with a person, but this is costly and puts the patient at risk. A PET CT scan is non-invasive and there are no side effects for the patient. Investigative surgery is invasive and cannot be carried out on an outpatient basis.

The data received by a PET CT scan is extremely detailed. When an illness such as cancer is detected early, treatment is much more likely to be successful. Doctors can see if there are any cancerous cells present and view the rate they are spreading. In the field of oncology a PET CT is therefore extremely valuable. The dose of radiation that the body is exposed to is so small that it cannot do any long term damage.

There are few more powerful options than PET CT scans. These work well to detect the cells in the body and if there are any abnormalities. Diagnostic medical imaging in this way can help doctors make accurate diagnoses and therefore prescribe better treatment. PET CT fusion software is extremely important to modern medicine as this allows these scans to be viewed together.

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson - diagnostic medical imaging solutions provider offering software for working with data from pet ct scans.

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