Understand the detailed procedure of PET vs CT scan. Compare how both imaging tests work, their specific uses, and what patients can expect during the scan.
Overview
PET and CT are the diagnostic procedures which are non-invasive with effective diagnostic ability. These tests are very effective in detecting conditions like cancer, injury, inflammation, internal bleeding and other such conditions. Yet they have differences in procedure and slightly vary depending on the test the patient is going for. PET scan uses contrast in every test for clear detection of abnormalities in the body. Whereas, CT can and cannot use contrast depending on the doctor's suggestion. Also PET Scan is usually expensive compared to the CT scan and both these tests vary depending on various abnormalities to be detected.
When is a CT scan recommended?
Doctors commonly recommend a CT scan for:
- Detecting fractures and bone injuries
- Evaluating internal bleeding after trauma
- Diagnosing infections
- Examining lung diseases
- Investigating abdominal pain
- Detecting kidney stones
- Assessing blood vessels
- Monitoring certain medical conditions
When is a PET CT Scan Recommended?
A PET CT Scan is generally recommended for more specialized evaluations, including:
- Detecting and staging cancer
- Evaluating the spread of cancer to other organs
- Monitoring response to chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Detecting cancer recurrence
- Assessing certain neurological disorders
- Evaluating some heart conditions by measuring blood flow and tissue viability
How do the procedures differ between CT Scan and PET CT Scan?
The CT scan process will generally be a simple process; the patient will lie down on a motorized table that moves through the scanner as the radiology technician gets X-ray images. Contrasting dye may be used to enhance the image quality depending upon type of examination. Once all images have been taken, all CT screens should take a total of approximately 10 - 20 minutes to complete.
PET scans are time-consuming because after injecting the radioactive tracer, patients will usually wait for 45 to 60 minutes for the tracer to circulate through the body. The scan itself usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. The additional time spent for both scans for PET may seem excessive, but provide valuable diagnostic and treatment planning information.
What are the safety considerations?
CT and PET CT scans both use a predetermined dose of radiation to create images of the body. The healthcare professional will recommend this type of testing if it is medically necessary based on his/her analysis of the benefits vs. the risks involved in having the test performed.
Where is the PET and CT scanning centre near me in Delhi?
The PET and CT scanning centre near me in Delhi is Ganesh Diagnostic centre. There are various other centres but this centre provides an affordable testing price with quality results for the tests.
Conclusion
When deciding between a PET CT Scan and CT Scan, it is important to consider the clinical question that your physician will answer - what is the best way to visualize and diagnose a person's condition? For a large number of conditions, a CT Scan is best for visualizing anatomic interpretation or structure, while a PET CT Scan gives Functional as well as Anatomical information (therefore very helpful in the diagnosis and continual follow-up of malignant diseases).
