There are four kinds of PET-CT scans performed at Providence Imaging Center, including whole body scans, brain scans, heart scans and bone scans.
Whole body scan - This scan is used to:
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This scan is used to assist physicians in diagnosing many common cancers, including breast, colorectal, esophageal, head and neck, lung, lymphoma, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic, thyroid and muskuloskeletal tumors
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Identify where the cancer is in the body
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Determine if the cancer has spread
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Evaluate treatment
Brain scan - This scan is used to:
- Differentiate recurring brain tumors from healthy tissue for targeted radiation therapy
- Before surgery for some seizure disorders
- Differentiate Alzheimer's disease from dementia that is caused by multiple mini-strokes
Heart scan - This scan is used to:
- Distinguish healthy heart muscle from non-functioning tissue after a heart attack
- Identify whether or not there is adequate blood supply to the heartEvaluate the extent of heart disease in patients being considered for heart bypass or transplant operations
PET-CT bone scan - This scan (18F-Fluoride PET-CT bone imaging) is much more sensitive than traditional nuclear medicine bone scans (99mTc). Per Bryan Winn, PIC Radiologist, it has a higher specificity for bony metastases, due to higher spacial resolution and the ability to directly compare with anatomic CT images (fewer false positives). It is primarily used to:
- Evaluate bones for abnormalities like bony lesions and tumors
- Evaluate post operative fusion patients
Download a handy instruction sheet for PET-CT bone scans in Adobe PDF format.