Positron emission tomography (PET) is a type of nuclear imaging that produces a three-dimensional image of the inside of the body. This body scanning method makes use of a special material that contains radioactive tracers which are injected to the vein to be absorbed by organs and tissues. Under a PET scanner, the tracers show the doctor how well or how bad your organs and tissues are functioning. PET scans are often used to detect health issues such as cancer, brain disorders, heart problems, and damage to the central nervous system.
Unlike CT, MRI or other imaging tests, PET scans can reveal problems on the cellular level. This is critical because many diseases in their early stages involve cellular and not structural changes, which can be impossible for certain imaging tests to detect. MRI and CT scans detect structural changes exclusively, which means PET scans are better at diagnosing certain diseases earlier than either of them.
Though effective, PET scan procedures are not without risks. One major source of risk is the fact that they involve the use of radioactive tracers. That said, experts say that radiation levels are too low to impact the body’s normal processes, but pregnant women are advised not to undergo the procedure as radiation at any level can be harmful to developing fetuses.
Another downside of PET scans is that they are more expensive than an MRI or CT, which is why they often come in short supply and are provided only by the most caring and skilled body scanning service providers. PET scans are an important aspect in the maintenance of your health, so if your physician recommends it, make sure to have it done as soon as possible.
Sources:
PET Scan
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