PET SCAN Positron Emission Tomography

PET SCAN (Positron Emission Tomography)

Introduction:

Positron Emission Tomography, or PET scan, is a remarkable medical imaging technique that employs a radioactive substance known as a tracer to uncover diseases within the body. Unlike MRI and CT scans, which primarily visualize structural aspects and blood flow, PET scans delve deeper by revealing how our organs and tissues are functioning. In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of PET scans, their procedures, uses, and potential risks.

Get Opinion From Doctor

The PET Scan Procedure:

A PET scan commences with the administration of a small amount of radioactive tracer via an intravenous (IV) injection, typically in the inner elbow area. This tracer travels through the bloodstream, accumulating in specific organs and tissues, enhancing their visibility during imaging. The patient must wait for approximately one hour to allow the tracer to distribute properly.

Afterward, the patient lies down on a narrow table that smoothly slides into a tunnel-shaped scanner. Inside the scanner, the PET device detects signals emitted by the tracer. These signals are then transformed into detailed 3D images using a computer. The images are displayed on a monitor for healthcare providers to analyze. It’s crucial for patients to remain still during the procedure to ensure clear images and accurate results.

Preparation for a PET Scan:

To prepare for a PET scan, patients are often instructed not to consume food for 4 to 6 hours before the test, with the exception of water. For diabetic patients, discontinuing diabetes medication before the scan is typically advised as these medications can interfere with the results. Inform your healthcare provider if you have concerns about claustrophobia, pregnancy, allergies to contrast dye, or any medications you are taking.

What to Expect During the Test:

While receiving the tracer via IV, patients may experience a brief, sharp sting. The table inside the scanner might feel hard or cold, but patients can request blankets or pillows for comfort. An intercom system allows continuous communication with the healthcare team throughout the test. Unless a relaxation medication was administered, there is generally no recovery time required.

Why PET Scans are Performed:

PET scans serve various medical purposes, with the most common being cancer diagnosis and management:

Staging Cancer: PET scans help determine the extent to which cancer has spread, aiding in the selection of the most effective treatment strategy.

Monitoring Cancer Treatment: They are used to assess how well a patient is responding to cancer treatment, whether during therapy or after its completion.

Additional uses of PET scans include:

Brain Function Assessment: Especially useful for individuals with cognitive problems.

Epilepsy Source Identification: To pinpoint the origin of epilepsy within the brain.

Cardiac Health Evaluation: To identify areas with reduced blood flow in the heart.

Detecting Lung Mass Nature: To differentiate between cancerous and benign lung masses.

Interpreting PET Scan Results:

A normal PET scan result indicates no abnormalities in the size, shape, or positioning of organs, with no unusual tracer accumulation.

Abnormal results can signify various conditions, such as cancer, infection, or organ dysfunction, depending on the specific body area examined.

Risks Associated with PET Scans:

The radiation exposure in a PET scan is similar to that in most CT scans. However, since PET scans use short-lived tracers, the radiation dissipates from the body relatively quickly, typically within 2 to 10 hours. While the cumulative effect of multiple scans over time may slightly increase cancer risk, the benefits of accurate diagnosis usually outweigh this minimal risk.

Notably, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should inform their healthcare providers, as developing fetuses and infants are more sensitive to radiation.

In rare cases, individuals may experience allergic reactions or local discomfort at the injection site due to the tracer material.

Conclusion:

Positron Emission Tomography scans are invaluable tools in modern medicine, offering profound insights into the functioning of our organs and tissues. While they involve the use of radioactive tracers, the associated risks are generally low, particularly when compared to the diagnostic benefits they provide. PET scans play a pivotal role in cancer diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and a range of other medical applications, contributing to better healthcare outcomes for patients worldwide.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is a PET scan, and how does it work?

A1: A PET scan, or Positron Emission Tomography scan, is a medical imaging technique that uses a radioactive tracer to visualize how organs and tissues function. It works by detecting the signals emitted by the tracer to create 3D images of the body’s internal processes.

Q2: Is a PET scan the same as an MRI or CT scan?

A2: No, PET scans differ from MRI and CT scans. While MRI and CT scans focus on structure and blood flow, PET scans reveal organ and tissue functionality.

Q3: How long does a PET scan procedure typically take?

A3: The duration of a PET scan varies depending on the area of the body being examined. On average, it may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Q4: What should I do to prepare for a PET scan?

A4: Patients are often advised not to eat for 4 to 6 hours before the scan (except for water). Diabetic patients may need to adjust their medication, as it can interfere with the results. Additionally, inform your healthcare provider about any allergies, medications, or concerns you may have.

Q5: Does a PET scan involve pain or discomfort?

A5: Generally, a PET scan causes minimal discomfort. You may feel a brief, sharp sting during the IV injection of the tracer, and the table you lie on may feel cold or hard. However, blankets and pillows can be provided for comfort.

Q6: What are the common uses of PET scans in healthcare?

A6: PET scans are frequently used for cancer diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring. They are also employed to assess brain function in individuals with cognitive issues, identify sources of epilepsy in the brain, evaluate blood flow to the heart, and distinguish between cancerous and benign lung masses.

Q7: Are there any risks associated with PET scans?

A7: The radiation exposure in a PET scan is similar to that of most CT scans and is generally considered safe. The risk of developing cancer from a single scan is minimal. However, individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding should inform their healthcare providers, and there is a rare possibility of allergic reactions to the tracer material.

Q8: Can PET scans provide false results?

A8: Yes, PET scans can yield false results in certain circumstances. Blood sugar levels and insulin levels, especially in individuals with diabetes, may influence the test results. It is essential to discuss any medical conditions or medications with your healthcare provider before the scan to ensure accurate interpretation.

Get Opinion From Doctor

We offers these Services

Providing a doctor’s opinion and proper quotation
Selecting the best hospital and doctor as per your case
Arranging a call with the doctor (if the case required)
Visa assistance, Providing Visa Invitation Letter (VIL)
Providing full guidance how to get Visa from your country
Providing total cost including treatment, air tickets, accommodation, and food
Assitance to book flight ticket from your country
Arranging airport pick up/ drop
Providing professional language interpreter
Booking accommodation and guest house as per your budget/ prefrence
Providing help in money exchanging
Providing local sim card
Arranging video consultation with specialist doctor if case requires

Fortis Escorts Hospital New Delhi

Number of beds: 310
ICU Beds: 158
Airport Distance: 19 KMs

Brief About:

It was established in 1988 and is JCI accredited.
Fortis Escorts Heart Institute is a premier multi-disciplinary hospital providing tertiary care and is recognized worldwide for its clinical excellence in cardiac care.
The 310-beded hospital is a globally renowned centre boasting admirable outcomes for interventions like Cardiac Bypass Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Non-invasive Cardiology, Paediatric Cardiology and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Read More

The hospital holds pride in housing some of India’s best and most accomplished surgeons who have many national and international awards to their credit.
It is the first hospital in India to conduct Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS), and is a pioneer of TAVR Centre in India to have started Percutaneous Transcatheter Replacement of Aortic Valve.
Fortis Healthcare Limited (Fortis), made Guinness world record for organizing the largest ever initiative to test cholesterol levels in the NCR region to beat heart disease.
Winner of the ‘Best Institution Award’ by Delhi Medical Association(2013), ‘Best Heart Care Centre in North India’ at theGlobal Healthcare Excellence Awards 2013 and ‘Best Single Specialty Hospital – Cardiology’ at India Healthcare Awards 2012.

Contact Hospital

Medanta-Hospital-Gurgaon

Medanta The Medicity Hospital

Number of beds: 1250
ICU Beds: 300
Airport Distance: 18 KMs

Brief About:

Medanta – The Medicity is amongst India’s largest and most renowned multi-super speciality healthcare centre with 1250 beds, 29 super speciality units and more than 800 accomplished doctors.
Supported by state-of-art infrastructure, all the departments in the hospital are fully equipped with cutting-edge technology, modular Operation Theatre and modernized monitoring systems in ICUs.
The panel of doctors from Medanta, headed by A.S.Soin performed the first successful intestinal transplant in India.

Read More

The team of Medanta has performed over 15,000 cardiac surgeries and 2500 joint replacement surgeries.
It Has performed over 500 living donor liver transplants. It is the highest number of liver transplants done in India and the 2nd highest in the world.
Further to its credits, the doctors at Medanta are highly trained experts with international repute and have contributed in making world records and claimed many firsts not only in India but on a global scale.
It has all kinds of procedures like Liver transplant, intestine,transplant and Knee Replacement surgery.
The hospital maintains a high standard of quality clinical care and is operational with the latest technologies like 256 Slice CT, Brain Suite with Intraoperative MRI Imaging, Da Vinci a surgical system with Robot for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Artis- Zeego Endovascular Surgical Cath Lab- with combined operating room.

Contact Hospital

Max Super Specialist Hospital Saket

Number of beds: 500
ICU Beds: 267
Airport Distance: 13 KM

Brief About:

Max Super Speciality Hospital at Saket is one of the topmost healthcare service
Providers in India. The multi-super speciality hospital has a capacity of over 500 beds, 250 functional beds. It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technologies.
With the help of over 300 leading specialist Doctors, strong nursing staff, and state-of-the-art innovative medical tools.

Read More

Max Hospital, Saket aims to provide the highest standard of medical care to the patients, right from admission and all the way to the patient discharge.
Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, offers the advantage of integrated medical care in a multidisciplinary setting provided by a faculty of highly qualiﬁed doctors, nurses, & healthcare professionals.
Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, is a regional hub for complex procedures such as neurovascular intervention, targeted cancer treatments, heart surgeries, orthopaedic surgeries, liver & kidney transplant, and fertility treatments.
With over 35 Speciality units, this renowned hospital caters to many patients from different parts of India as well as abroad on an everyday basis.
The super specialty hospital is well known for having Asia’s first and the world’s third BrainSUITE technology.
It is an advanced Neurosurgical operation theatre, which allows the medical team to use MRI during the surgery. This sophisticated technology can be used for various kinds of brain surgery.
Max Hospital group is also the first super speciality tertiary care centre that has the facility for advanced cardiac life support ambulances and air evacuation service.

Contact Hospital

BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital

Number of beds: 700
ICU Beds: 175
Airport Distance: 13 Km

Brief About:

BLK Super Speciality Hospital was established by Dr. B.L. Kapur in 1959. It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
BLK Super Speciality Hospital was established by Dr. B.L. Kapur in 1959. It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
BLK has a unique combination of the best in class technology, put to use by the best names in the professional circles to ensure world-class health care to all patients.

Read More

Spread on five acres of land, with a capacity of 700 beds,
BLK Super Speciality Hospital is one of the largest tertiary care private hospitals in the country,
BLK has consistently ranked amongst the Top 10 Multi Super Specialty Hospitals in Delhi NCR.
The outpatient services are spread on two floors with 80 consultation rooms. All ambulatory services have been designed with the intent to create dedicated aides for all specialities, with their interventional services in close vicinity.
The hospital has 17 state-of-the-art well equipped modular operation theatres with three-stage air filtration and gas scavenging system to ensure patient safety. All the Operation Theatres are fitted with best in class pendants, operating lights, anaesthesia workstations and advanced information management system.
The Hospital has one of the biggest critical care programmes in the region with 125 beds in different intensive care units viz Medical, Surgical, Cardiac, Paediatrics, Neonatology, Neurosciences and Organ Transplant.
Each Critical care unit is equipped with high-end patient monitoring devices, ventilators and dedicated isolation rooms.
Liver and Renal Transplant Centres have been equipped with dedicated ICUs with individual HEPA filters, specialized instruments and equipment.
Awarded the Prestigious Gold Award at Hospital Management Asia (HMA), Bangkok (2013) and HMA Awards 2014.

Contact Hospital

Artemis Hospital Gurgaon

Number of beds: 600
ICU Beds: 185
Airport Distance: 19 Km

Brief About:

Artemis Hospital, established in 2007, spread across 9 acres, is a 600plus bed; state-of-the-art multi-speciality hospital located in Gurgaon, India.
Artemis Hospital is the first JCI and NABH accredited hospital in Gurgaon.
Designed as one of the most advanced hospitals in India, Artemis provides a depth of expertise in the spectrum of advanced medical & surgical interventions, a comprehensive mix of inpatient and outpatient services.

Read More

Artemis has around 400 + best doctors. It has put modern technology in the hands of renowned doctors from across the country and abroad to set new standards in healthcare.
The medical practices and procedures followed in the hospital are research-oriented and benchmarked against the best in the world.
Top-notch services, in a warm, open patient-centric environment, clubbed with affordability, has made us one of the most revered hospitals in the country.
Most Promising Start-Up of the Year 2007 award – Express Healthcare magazine
Best IT Implementation for the Year 2008 – PC Quest magazine for Hospital Information System
Best institute for Medical Value Year 2010 – The CNBC Awaaz travel awards
Asia Pacific Hand hygiene excellence Award Year 2011 – World Health Organisation (WHO)
The patient base is 400000
750000 surgeries conducted since the inception

Contact Hospital

Get Opinion From Doctor

We offers these Services

Providing a doctor’s opinion and proper quotation
Selecting the best hospital and doctor as per your case
Arranging a call with the doctor (if the case required)
Visa assistance, Providing Visa Invitation Letter (VIL)
Providing full guidance how to get Visa from your country
Providing total cost including treatment, air tickets, accommodation, and food
Assitance to book flight ticket from your country
Arranging airport pick up/ drop
Providing professional language interpreter
Booking accommodation and guest house as per your budget/ prefrence
Providing help in money exchanging
Providing local sim card
Arranging video consultation with specialist doctor if case requires

Sanar International Hospital

Number of beds: 130
ICU Beds: 35
Airport Distance: 20 Km

About Hospital:

Sanar International Hospital was established in 2018.
Sanar International Hospital founded by Mr. Naresh Kapoor.
Sanar International Hospital offers comprehensive advanced surgical care in specialties like Cancer, Heart, Blood and Marrow Transplant, Lung, Liver, and Neurosciences along with other major departments with advanced state-of-the-art facilities.

Read More

It establishes itself as a center of excellence with world-class infrastructure, a team of experienced surgeons, doctors, and nursing staff.
Sanar International Hospitals is not only leaving a mark amongst domestic patients but also making it a preferable choice for patients from other countries.
Sanar International Hospital offers comprehensive advanced surgical care in over 15 Specialties.
The hospital’s skilled faculty is on numerous medical clinical & advisory boards and lectures nationally & internationally on a regular basis.
It focuses on High-End Complex Surgeries with cutting-edge technology to enable the carrying-out of the most complex surgical procedures with clinical excellence at par with anywhere in the world.
All facilities are based on the latest revolutionary and technological advancements of global standards particularly in radio diagnosis, research, clinical and surgical practices.
Hospital technology & Radio Diagnostic foray is of the latest generation of MRI, CT, Digital X-Ray, Ultrasound, pharmacy, ambulance & 24 hrs Transfusion Medicine, Laboratory & Emergency services.

Contact Hospital

Fortis Memorial Research Institute

Number of beds:   1000
ICU Beds:     298
Airport Distance:  17 KMs

Brief About:

Fortis Memorial Research Institute was established in 2001.
It is an outstanding multi-speciality quaternary care hospital,having the top-notch infrastructure, advanced equipment, highly qualified and experienced medical professionals and super sub-specialists.
Fortis Hosptial Gurgaon is an advanced centre of excellence in Robotic Surgery, Neurosciences, Oncology, Renal Sciences, BMT, Organ Transplants, Orthopaedics, Cardiac Sciences and Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

Read More

JCI & NABH Accredited Hospital, NABL Accredited Lab, NABH Certified Nursing Excellence, NABH Accredited Blood Bank
FMRI is a 1000 bedded and 15 Operation theaters and over 400 diagnostics centres (including JVs).
Medical facility endowed with a dedicated team of 200 world-renowned doctors, covering a number of specialities, who aim to provide the best quality medical care to all the patients, national as well as international.
This hospital is well set up with the latest technologies and equipment throughout all the specialties and research labs, which are accredited by NABL.
This ensures that the patients at FMRI receive diagnostic results and treatment with high accuracy and in minimum time.
With a vision for the community, FMRI operates various speciality clinics such as, for Paediatrics, Nephrology, Neurology, Gynecology, Orthopedics, Oncology and many more, which provide long term healthcare management and follow up care.
FMRI is the premium healthcare provider and endeavours to be known as the “Mecca of Medicine” – the ultimate healthcare destination.

Contact Hospital

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital

No. of beds: 900
ICU Beds: 262
Airport: 20kms

Brief About:

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is a flagship hospital of India’s foremost healthcare groups,the Apollo Group. It is a highly renowned multi-speciality facility that offers tertiary and quaternary care services to domestic and international patients.
The 900 bedded hospital is outfitted with the most modern technology for diagnostics as well as therapeutic purposes.
A team of highly trained medical professionals work under all the 52 specialities at the hospital.

Read More

Indraprastha Apollo is an accredited hospital with international standard quality services for patient care and safety norms.
The hospital uses its own system, called The Apollo Standards of Clinical Care (TASCC), to maintain top standards for all kinds of treatment and procedures.
The Apollo Organ Transplant Program is one of the most successful programs in the country that has performed over 1627 transplants (410 Liver and 1210 Kidney), including 979 transplants (289 Liver and 690 Kidney) performed at the Transplant Program in Delhi.
It is the First Hospital in India to perform a Paediatric Liver Transplant in 1998. They have successfully performed various kinds of liver transplant for different kinds of liver conditions.
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has some world-reputed surgeons and specialists who are the pioneers of their specialities, especially in Cardiology and Neurology.
The hospital has won many national and international accolades and continues to be one of the top healthcare service providers in India.
It is the first hospital in India to get international accreditation by international (JCI) consecutively for the fourth time

Contact Hospital

Accord Superspeciality Hospital

Number of beds: 380+
ICU Beds: 41
Airport Distance: 46 Km

About Hospital:

The story of Accord began with the thought of leveraging the new age technology with the healthcare infrastructure to serve the patients, rightly, effectively, and timely.
Accord Superspeciality Hospital (A Unit Of SCL Healthcare Pvt. Ltd) is India’s first smart hospital and one of the first of its kind in the world.
Accord Superspeciality Hospital aims at providing technologically advanced healthcare services to international patients who are looking out for medical tourism in India.

Read More

It delivers world-class patient care services.
Highly experienced team of super specialist available at accord superspeciality hospital
It believes in enhancing the expertise of doctors through the use of augmented artificial intelligence, generated through various systems and software.
Its smartness is the result of a super-brain that accompanies the hospital.

Contact Hospital

W Pratiksha Hospital

Number of beds: 110
ICU Beds: 31
Airport Distance: 19 KMs

About Hospital:

Established in 1995, W Pratiksha Hospital is a 110+ bedded flagship hospital of the Pratiksha group.
W Pratiksha Hospital in Gurgaon, the flagship hospital of Pratiksha Group is a one-of-its-kind facility in Gurgaon that brings to you 30 years of experience.
The hospital has treated more than 25,000 people In 2018.

Read More

The chairman of the Pratiksha group – Dr. Pramod Kumar Sharma is one of the pioneers of IVF treatment.
The hospital has done more than 5500+ IVF success
It is an accredited hospital with NABH,& NABL.

Contact Hospital

Aakash Health Care Delhi

Number of beds: 230
ICU Beds: 70
Airport Distance: 10 Km

About Hospital:

Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital is a tertiary care facility, with 15 Dialysis, and 70 Critical care beds for treating the most complex cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, Dwarka.
The hospital is equipped with state of the art infrastructure, latest technology, competent clinicians and compassionate staff.
Aakash Healthcare Super Specialty Hospital is known for its leading care in Orthopaedic and Joint replacement surgery.

Read More

The hospital also has a 24×7 ‘Trauma & Emergency Center’, blood bank, with state of art Neonatal and Paediatric ICU.
The Super Specialty Hospital is being managed by highly qualified and trained experts from their respective fields and a unified team of healthcare experts ensure 24×7 comprehensive patient care
The Hospital has deployed high-end technologies and smart digital systems along with robust Hospital Information Systems to address complex medical needs and convenience of patients.
Mr. J C Chaudhry is the chairman of Hospital and Dr. Aashish Chaudhry is Managing Director, who is also a renowned Orthopedic Surgeon in this region.
Total number of surgeries done is 25000+ till now.

Contact Hospital

Jaypee Hospital

Number of beds: 525
ICU Beds : 150
Airport Distance: 32 KMs

About Hospital:

The Jaypee Hospital was conceptualized by a revered Founder Chairman, Shri Jai Prakash Gaur in 2014, with the vision of promoting world-class healthcare amongst the masses by providing quality and affordable medical care with commitment.
Jaypee Hospital at Noida is the flagship hospital of the Jaypee Group, which heralds the group’s noble intention to enter the healthcare space.
This hospital has been planned and designed as a 1200 bedded tertiary care multi-speciality facility and has commissioned 525 beds in the first phase.

Read More

The Jaypee Hospital is constructed across a sprawling twenty-five-acre campus in Sector 128, Noida which is easily accessible from Delhi, Noida and the Yamuna Expressway.
With its best in class facilities, state-of-the-art technology, diagnostic services, and skilled doctors.

Contact Hospital