It is the abbreviation of PET (Positron Emission Tomography). PET imaging is a medical imaging method used to diagnose diseases by imaging metabolic and biochemical activities in the body. It is especially widely used in the diagnosis of cancer, heart diseases and neurological disorders. PET imaging allows the detection of abnormal cells by showing the sugar metabolism in the cells of a radioactive substance injected into the body. In this way, cancer cells, tumor spread areas or brain activities are monitored in detail.
What is a PET scan?
PET imaging (Positron Emission Tomography) is a nuclear medicine imaging technique used to image the metabolic and biochemical activities of cells in the body. It is used in the diagnosis of cancer, heart diseases and neurological diseases. PET imaging images the activities of cells, such as glucose consumption, thanks to a radioactive substance injected into the body. As this radioactive substance is metabolized by the cells in the body, it emits positrines, and these particles are detected by the PET device and diseased areas in the body are displayed.
What does PET scan mean?
PET extraction; It is an abbreviation of the words Positron Emission Tomography. It is an imaging method used in the diagnosis of diseases.
Why is PET withdrawn?
PET imaging is an important medical imaging method used to monitor the biochemical activities of cells in the body and to diagnose diseases at early stages. PET imaging, which plays a vital role in diagnosis and treatment planning in the medical world, provides information that often cannot be obtained with other imaging methods. This method allows detecting any abnormality in the body at the metabolic level, allowing serious health problems such as cancer, heart diseases and neurological disorders to be monitored more effectively. Diagnoses made with PET scan are as follows:
- Cancer diagnosis and follow-up
- heart diseases
- Neurological diseases
- Infection and inflammation
How is PET scan done?
PET scan allows detecting abnormal cell activity by showing differences in metabolic processes of a radioactive substance injected into the body. There are some preparations that need to be taken into consideration in this process. Before PET shooting Here’s what needs to be done:
- You should not eat anything 4-6 hours before this procedure.
- If the patient uses any medication, the doctor should be informed.
- It is recommended to drink water.
- Metal-free clothing should be worn before PET extraction. Jewelry, accessories and watches should be removed before shooting.
PET extraction takes place in several stages. First, a radioactive substance is injected into the patient intravenously. This substance is usually radioactive glucose called F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Glucose is used for energy by active cells in the body. Rapidly dividing cells, such as cancerous cells, consume more glucose and can therefore be detected with a PET scan.
How long does a PET scan take?
Approximately 30-60 minutes are waited for the radioactive material to disperse throughout the body and reach the tissues. During this process, the patient should remain quiet and motionless, because muscle movements may affect glucose consumption and impair image quality. The patient is then placed in the PET device, which detects the positrons emitted by radioactive glucose and displays the metabolic activity in the body. The scanning process usually takes around 30-45 minutes. Once the scan is completed, the patient is allowed to continue their daily activities. The radioactive substance is eliminated from the body in a short time and does not usually pose a risk.
What should be done after PET extraction?
No special care is usually required after a PET scan, but it is important to be careful. Nausea after PET scan It is normal to experience side effects such as: Fatigue after PET scan and fatigue may be felt. To make the process easier, it is recommended to drink plenty of water and rest.