Should You Be Concerned When You Get Abnormal Results in a PET Scan?

PET (positron emission tomography) scans check your body at a cellular level. A wide range of health problems can be detected through a PET scan, such as cancer, diseases, heart problems, and brain disorders. Contrary to what some believe, however, abnormal results in a scan don't mean that you have a rare or abnormal disease.

How a PET Scan Works

Your doctor will give an injection that distributes a special dye throughout your body. The special dye has radioactive tracers attached that help your doctor see how your organs are functioning when the PET scanner is on. Doctors can measure oxygen use, blood flow, glucose metabolism, and other body processes through a positron emission tomography scan.

How MRIs Can Help Monitor the Progression of ALS for Better Treatment

A recent study published in "Neuroimage: Clinical" found that the progression of ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease, can be monitored through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. ALS is a very rare nervous system disease that still doesn't have a cure. Scientists have been working to better understand the disease in order to develop cures. The cause of Lou Gehrig's disease is still unknown as well.

Fortunately, medication and therapy can minimize discomfort and slow down progression. An MRI test can help monitor the progression of ALS for better treatment. Here's a look at important findings from the "Longitudinal evaluation of cerebral and spinal cord damage in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis" study: