Click Here to find out how it works
Pet CT Scans
A PET (Positron Emission Tomography) CT (Computed Tomography) scanner combines the two images taken sequentially during one scan and produces a superimposed picture for examination by doctors and radiographers. This often provides a much more accurate result and is convenient for the patient who only has to undergo one scan rather two separate scans.
What are the risks and side effects of having a PET CT scan?
In order for the PET scan to accurately produce an image of your body tissue and organs you will be injected with a radioactive tracer that travels through your body. The scan itself also produces radiation. However, the radioactivity of the tracer element is extremely minimal and is about equal to the level of radiation experienced through a normal x-ray. Any exposure to radiation the body experiences is certainly outweighed by the importance of the scan in detecting and monitoring a cancer.
Pregnant women should avoid having a PET scan unless it is absolutely necessary because of the potential health risks to the baby. If this is the case the radiology staff can sometimes use a much smaller dose of the tracer element thus minimising any risk. If you are currently breastfeeding it is recommended that you do not breastfeed your baby for 6-8 hours after the scan has been performed because the baby should not be in close contact with the mother until the radiation has been broken down or completely expelled from the body.
If you are not fond of injections you may find the injection of the tracer element uncomfortable. In some cases a patient may experience a very mild reaction to the injection of the tracer, but this is generally limited to a slight pain and redness around the injection area. However it is wise to inform medical staff of any allergies or any previous experience of nuclear medical treatments you have.
Because the amount of radiation that you will be exposed to is so low there are no long-term side effects of the procedure. Nuclear medicine has been at the forefront of medical procedures for nearly five decades and no long-term effects have been found because of the low-dose exposure that patients experience. The small amount of radiation is surely acceptable given the incredible information that such a scan can produce and the benefit this has on a patient’s diagnosis.