A Brief Overview
The full form of PET scan is Positron emission tomography. In this
type of scanning, a radioactive dye or drug (tracer) is being used to detect
particular diseases. This test is done to take images of the functionality of
the tissue and organs. This scan is very useful for early detection of some
diseases that doesn’t show up in other imaging tests.
The tracer is introduced to the patient body either by injecting, swallowing
or inhaling depending upon which organ needs to be studied. These tracers are
seen as bright spots in the report as they get accumulated in the areas where
maximum chemical activities are going on, mainly the disease affected organs.
Why better?
A PET scan or a combination of CT-PET scan is always more effective in detecting cancer, heart or brain
diseases. It help the doctors for better diagnosis of illness as it gives
different information that are not covered by other tests like Computerized Tomography
(CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
PET CT
scans are widely used for:
1. Cancer
PET CT scans are used for detection of cancer cells in the body.
It also helps the doctor to understand the spread and expansion of the disease.
Cancer recurrence inspection can also be done by this type of scan. Doctors do
check the progress of Cancer treatment through this scan reports.
2. Heart Disease
PET CT scan can detect slower blood flow in the areas of the heart
arteries. It gives the doctors a better understanding as to what procedure of
surgery can be done ahead.
3. Brain Disorder
PET CT scans are very helpful in the evaluation process of certain
diseases related to brain for example Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, tumours or
seizures.
4. Risk factors
Although PET scan uses radioactive tracer, the harm of it is
minimal as compared to its advantages in medical field. So the risk factor is
very low. But patients should alert doctor about any previous allergies as PET
scan can trigger allergic reactions. Pregnant women should never undergo this
scan as radiations are not safe for growing foetus. Additional tracer is given
to patients who are going for PET CT scan, so it can be harmful for those who
have kidney diseases.
The
process of PET CT
The process of PET CT is quite simple and does not hurt. The only
thing is that you have to remain lying for about 30 to 40 minutes. Sometimes
people may feel claustrophobic or can get breathing trouble.
Cost and
pricing of PET CT scans in Chennai
PET CT scan in Chennai is on the
higher side and so it is costlier than normal scans. It ranges around 15000 to
30000 thousand rupees in Chennai.
But if you are well connected, then you can get scanned in much lower prices in
different hospitals in Chennai. Also, there are several websites which provide
offers and give discounts for these kinds of expensive PET scans in Chennai.
0 Comments