Nuclear medicine is a medical discipline that utilizes radioactive isotopes for diagnosing diseases.
Following conditions are diagnosed;
· Heart diseases (Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery)
· Thyroid and Endocrine System Diseases
· Bone diseases (Bone Scan, Total Body Bone Scan, 3-phase bone scan, Leukocyte labeling)
· Renal-Genital System Diseases (Dynamic and Static Renal Scans, VUR scan)
· Gastro-Intestinal System Diseases (Diseases of Stomach, Digestive Tract, Liver, Bile Ducts)
· Cancer
· Other
Lung Perfusion/Ventilation Scan for pulmonary embolism
Lacrimal Duct Scan for Lacrimal Duct Obstructions
Parotid Gland Scan for Parotid Gland Diseases
Ga-67 or Labeled Leukocyte Scan for infection, abscess and idiopathic fever
Labeled leukocyte scan for diabetic foot, Bone Marrow Scan.
What is PET CT?
PET/CT is the most advanced medical technology for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of cancer and it is a combination of two technologies. While PET (Positron Emission Tomography) provides information on cellular function and metabolism, CT scan offers anatomical data. Both cellular metabolic function and anatomy are visualized in 3 dimensions, while detailed and precise information is obtained in single session. Thus, the most useful information about patient's medical condition is gathered and the best method of treatment is determined especially for cancer patients. PET/CT device at our cancer hospital enables detection of even the smallest tumors.
How is PET alone Different than PET/CT?
PET scanners can detect metabolisms of tumor foci and small tumors. However, location of them cannot be precisely determined without CT component. In addition, PET/CT devices are significantly fast compared to PET devices and their design is spacious for patients with claustrophobia.
What Are Diseases PET/CT Can Be Used In Treatment?
· PET/CT is utilized in diagnosis, staging (determining the spread) and evaluation of the response to treatment in oncologic diseases.
· Other than oncologic diseases, it can be determined to determine presence of viable tissue in cardiac muscles of patients with myocardial infarction.
· It is utilized in the field of neurology to determine the epileptic focus precisely.
· It helps early diagnosis of certain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
How Does It Affect Radiotherapy Plan and Outcome of Treatment?
Radiotherapy planning with PET/CT-guidance has become a golden standard throughout the world. It helps visualize target tumor tissue and accordingly, the tumor zone is irradiated more effectively. The damage to health tissue is also minimized.
How is PET/CT Scanned?
Following injection of contrast agent, patients are allowed to rest for 45 minutes to 1 hour to enable cancerous cells absorb the contrast agent. Scanning is started, after this period expires. Patient remains in supine position for 35 to 45 minutes.
What are Advantages of PET/CT?
· It enables early and precise diagnosis of cancerous cells.
· Recurrences are identified in earlier stages.
· It provides perfect image quality and resolution.
· Patient comfort increases, as the scan is completed in a shorter time.
· Tumors can be irradiated more effectively even if it was treated with radiotherapy.
Thus, the surrounding healthy tissue is better conserved.
