Precautions: Is MRI with Contrast Safe for People with Kidney Disease?

Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI is among the most preferred diagnostic imaging tests as it can provide important information on a range of injuries or diseases, which can help in proper diagnosis and treatment planning. There are times, however, when an MRI is done with a contrast material called gadolinium, which is injected through the patient’s veins, for better visualization of internal organs. Contrast agents that are given intravenously will be cleared from the body by the kidneys, so the renal functions of high risk patients are tested to determine the safety of gadolinium administration. 

Research: Identifying and Differentiating CTE and AD with a PET Scan

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), NorthShore University Health System (NSUHS), and other established institutions revealed that proteins (tau) are deposited in a distinctive pattern in the brains of individuals, particularly athletes, who are suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).  Researchers conducted a study in 14 retired National Football League football players who sustained at least one concussion during their time in the field.

“What is a PET Scan?” and Other Common PET Scan-Related Questions

PET scan, short for positron emission tomography scanning, is a body imaging technology that uses radiation to produce colored three-dimensional images of the body. A PET scan can reveal metabolic changes and physical uptake that may not be seen in other forms of imaging technique, and that’s why it’s widely used to see observe the development of an existing condition or the effectiveness of an ongoing treatment.

MRI: Can it be an Effective Detection Tool for Unstable Labral Tears?

With the evolution of medical diagnostic tools comes the discovery of several conditions that no one thought existed. Among these conditions is a labral tear, which is an injury to the labrum, a very small structure in the shoulder. A labral tear can be extremely painful to a sufferer.

Doctors Check and Accurately Diagnose Conditions Through a PET Scan

A positron emission tomography scan, or PET scan, is an imaging test that lets doctors check the body for diseases and various other conditions. This process uses a special dye with radioactive tracers that is injected into a vein in the patient's arm. Once the tissues and the organs in the body have absorbed the tracer, it is then highlighted under a PET scanner. This will show the doctor how well your organs and tissues are working. A PET scan can measure oxygen use, blood flow, glucose metabolism, and much more. PET scans are also used in detecting a handful of diseases and brain conditions, such as the following:

MRI Shows the Brain of Schizophrenic Patients Trying to Repair Itself

Like several other mental health disorders, schizophrenia has no known cure yet. The condition, brought by various biological and environmental factors, has been difficult to manage, and so far, only its symptoms are addressed. Medications are prescribed, for instance, to help control a patient’s tendency to develop anxiety and help them calm down during stressful episodes.

24 Hours Before Your PET Scan: Three Preparation Tips for Patients

PET scan involves getting images of different parts of the body to look for diseases. Many factors can affect the accuracy of the results, so it is important for patients to be prepared accordingly. Doctors would normally ask you to watch what you eat or drink at least 24 hours before the scan. Here are some basic tips to help you.

Diagnosing Early Signs of CTE May Now Be Possible through an MRI Scan

Defined by medical experts as a progressive neurological disease that may be caused by repeated brain trauma, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, has been afflicting a number of former football players and changing their lives forever. Today, the only way of correctly diagnosing CTE is through a post mortem examination of a patient’s brain.

A recent research published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, however, suggests that an MRI scan may be viable in detecting CTE in its early stages.

PET Scan: A Critical and Effective Tool for Lung Cancer Diagnosis

PET scan stands for positron emission tomography scanning, and is a type of sophisticated medical imaging technique such as MRI and CT scans. This type of scan makes use of a radioactive tracer to identify changes in tissue on a molecular level. A PET scan can be used to look for cancer in the lymph nodes in the lungs. It can also reveal if the lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most common  radioactive tracer used in PET scans is called FDG-18, a radioactive version of glucose. When this tracer is introduced into the body, it acts as glucose does, and goes to areas where glucose should. FDG-18 is able to reveal cancer cells because these use glucose differently than normal cells.

For a more accurate lung cancer diagnosis, a PET scan is often followed by a CT scan. That said, there are actually machines that can do both scans simultaneously. In the case of early stage lung cancer, a PET scan can be used to identify if the cancer has spread to other areas, which can help determine if surgery is a viable option.

PET scans have no major side effects, and patients will not feel differently after the procedure. The only known side effect of PET scans is pretty minor, and this is the length of time needed to finish the procedure, as it often takes more than an hour. That said, after your PET scan has been completed, you are not “radioactive” and can have close proximity to others right away. You  may go back to your normal diet and activities immediately.

Sources:
PET scan, cancerresearchuk.org
PET scan for evaluation lung nodules, oncolink.org

Facts on Blood Vessel Malformation and the Use of MRI to Identify It

The circulatory system, which consists of your heart and blood vessels, is vital to the optimal function and survival of all the organs in your body. Any abnormality or obstruction in the flow of your blood can place certain tissues or organs at risk of deteriorating, which can lead to permanent damage. Therefore, defects in your blood vessels, namely the arteries, capillaries, and veins, can interfere in the circulation of your blood.

What is blood vessel malformation?

Also referred to as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), blood vessel malformation is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins. AVMs are typically present at birth any may or may not be symptomatic at first, and it can begin anywhere in the body, even in the spinal cord and brain, which can cause neurologic symptoms, such as headaches and seizures.

How can you find out if you have this disease?

Infants with major blood vessel malformation may have a bluish tint to their skin due to the poor circulation. Moreover, the symptoms of the AVM will depend on the malformation’s location, size, risk factor for the AVM, and the type of blood vessel involved. For instance, AVMs in the chest or abdomen can lead to abdominal pain, chest pain, back pain, and irregular sounds of the affected vessels. On the other hand, AVMs in the brain can result in persistent headaches, memory lapses, confusion, and bleeding in the skull.

How can an MRI help in pinpointing the location of the malformation?

Blood vessel malformations are best imaged using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan as it can clearly show tangles of blood vessels or lesions, which usually appear as flow voids. An MRI is a noninvasive and non-radioactive way of identifying and characterizing AVMs present in the body.

How can detecting the malformation help in treatments?

After detecting the AVM with an MRI, a physician can better decide on which treatment is best for the patient. Common treatments for blood vessel malformations include general surgery, medical therapy, endovascular neurosurgery (i.e. liquid tissue adhesives, micro coils, etc.), and stereotactic radiosurgery.

Source:

Brain Imaging in Arteriovenous Malformation, MedScape

What a PET Scan Can Do for Conditions Characterized by Tissue Damage

PET or positron emission tomography scans are commonly used by doctors to determine changes to a patient’s body at the early stages of various diseases. The procedure uses radioactive tracers that organs and tissues absorb. A PET scanner then highlights these tracers, enabling doctors to track them and assess the current conditions and functions of bodily tissues.

What Conditions Should You Inform Your Doctor About Before an MRI?

MRI or magnetic resonance imaging uses a combination of a powerful magnetic field, rapidly changing magnetic fields and radio waves to create organs and tissues in the body to help diagnose injuries or diseases. While MRIs often yield accurate results, patients may not be aware that certain conditions can affect the scan, or even distort the image. This is why it’s a good idea to disclose information regarding your health to your doctor beforehand. Here are some examples of conditions that can impact the scan.

PET Scan Information: What Patients Need to Know

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
www.healthline.com

A healthy smile means healthy self-esteem
www.sheknows.com

MRI and the Early Detection of Diseases

For some people, the phrase “health checkup” is enough to conjure images of getting pricked by needles, seeing blood, and feeling pain or discomfort; however, considering the many benefits of health screenings for early detection of diseases, the minimal inconvenience that you’ll go through in a check up would be worth it if you’ll be able to prevent a future made bleak by a preventable and highly manageable illness or disease.

How does early detection play a role in treating illnesses?

Regardless if problems are health-related or not, catching them early on results in less complications and expenses for an individual. Early detection makes it possible to contain and treat what could’ve been a serious health condition. For instance, when you’re diagnosed with mild hypertension before it reaches the highest stage, you can count on maintenance medications to control your blood pressure.

How can internal illnesses be detected?

Internal illnesses are typically diagnosed through a physical checkup and certain diagnostic procedures, from blood tests to imaging scans. When it comes to imaging tests, an MRI scan is among the top choices of medical practitioners.

What does an MRI do that can help in detecting illnesses?

An MRI is great for determining the structural status of internal organs. It gives physicians an accurate image of specific organs, making it easy to diagnose the presence of cysts, tumors, injury, or other abnormalities. From your brain down to the blood vessels in your legs, an MRI allows for accurate visualization of the internal components of your body.

What are the statistics that prove the importance of early detection in treating most diseases?

Numbers don’t lie and spotting diseases early can make a real difference in a person’s quality of life. For instance, 9 in 10 patients will survive bowel cancer for more than 5 years if they are diagnosed at the earliest stage. Moreover, more than 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest stage will survive their disease for at least 5 years compared to 15% of women who were diagnosed too late.

Source:

Health Screening: Finding Health Problems Early, WebMD

What Are The Common Bodily Diseases Detected by PET Scans

A PET Scan (Position emission tomography) takes images to detect abnormalities in tissue. The most common diseases detected by a PET are cancers in the brain, breast or organs, neurological disorders, epilepsy, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

The What and Why of Pre-MRI Interviews

To keep you safe, your doctor or MRI technician will interview you before scheduling your diagnostic test. These interviews are conducted for your protection, so it's important that you schedule and attend your interview without delay. If you've never undergone this type of screening for a medical procedure, here is some information about what you can expect.

MRI and Cancer: Early Diagnosis through MRI may Lead to Early Recovery

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) detects cancer cells by using radio waves and powerful magnets that pour out detailed images of tissue and organs. This noninvasive method is popular because there are so few side effects for the patient. 

The PET Scan: Detecting Diseases Through Radiation Medicine

Positron emission tomography, better known as a PET scan, is an imaging test used for diagnostics. Together with a tracer, which is a radioactive substance that works as a dye, a PET scan is able to detect certain diseases. Your physician will choose a tracer based on the organ that is to be examined.

Getting a Better Understanding of the MRI Procedure and its Functions

Magnetic resonance imaging, known as an MRI, is a procedure that uses pulses of radio waves allowing physicians to take pictures of structures and organs in a patient’s body. Magnetic resonance imaging offers a closer look at a patient’s body that is not visible through other imaging technologies, such as X-rays.

All About Cancer: PET Scans Play an Important Role in Its Treatment

Numerous medical advances now allow doctors to detect the early stages of illnesses before they get worse, including cancer, with the introduction of the PET scan. A PET scan uses Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to detect whether there are any cancerous tumors in the body.