{"id":59014,"date":"2022-06-17T13:07:41","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T13:07:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/?p=59014"},"modified":"2022-09-14T13:43:31","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T13:43:31","slug":"what-is-a-pet-scan-used-for-advantages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/what-is-a-pet-scan-used-for-advantages\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a PET Scan Used for and What Are Its Advantages?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Diagnostic imaging plays an enormous role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in both human and veterinary medicine. In fact, imaging technology has advanced to such an extent over recent years that medical practitioners are now able to diagnose and treat a range of conditions that had been difficult to detect in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One such advancement is the <\/span><b>use of PET scans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Unlike X-rays, CT scans and MRIs, which show changes in anatomy, a <\/span><b>PET scan can reveal physiological changes, enabling the early detection and diagnosis of a wide range of diseases through anatomical mapping, including cancer, heart disease, and disorders of the brain<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And this technology is not just reserved for humans; PET scans are becoming significantly popular in veterinary medicine, too. Read on to find out answers to questions like, \u201cWhat is a PET scan?\u201d, \u201cWhat is a PET scan used for\u201d, and \u201cWhat are the <a href=\"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/vet-tech-how-digital-transformation-is-impacting-modern-veterinary-clinics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">advantages of using this technology<\/a>?\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!--HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><span id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-a3367545-269b-40d7-a26f-95377e6e650a\" class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\"><span id=\"hs-cta-a3367545-269b-40d7-a26f-95377e6e650a\" class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-a3367545-269b-40d7-a26f-95377e6e650a\"><!-- [if lte IE 8]>\n\n\n<div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div>\n\n\n<![endif]--><a href=\"https:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/6092775\/a3367545-269b-40d7-a26f-95377e6e650a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"hs-cta-img-a3367545-269b-40d7-a26f-95377e6e650a\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" style=\"border-width: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/6092775\/a3367545-269b-40d7-a26f-95377e6e650a.png\" alt=\"Want to know the 12 trends that will revolutionise the veterinary sector in the medium and long term?Click here and discover how to optimize your practice for 2022.\" \/><\/a><\/span><script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> hbspt.cta.load(6092775, 'a3367545-269b-40d7-a26f-95377e6e650a', {\"useNewLoader\":\"true\",\"region\":\"na1\"}); <\/script><\/span><!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Is a PET Scan?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Positron Emission Tomography (PET)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a type of imaging technology used to evaluate tissues and organs at a cellular level. A PET scan <\/span><b>produces detailed three-dimensional images<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the inside of the body which can be used to <\/span><b>detect any abnormalities and highlight how well certain bodily functions are working<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A PET scan requires the use of a special dye with radioactive tracers which is injected and absorbed by biologically active cells. The patient is then placed in a tunnel-like device that is able to detect and translate the emitted radiation into three-dimensional images. <\/span><b>These tracers are then able to reveal the metabolic and biochemical function of tissues and organs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This makes them <\/span><b>capable of detecting diseases and identifying their severity before they show up on other imaging tests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as Computerised Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). PET scans are therefore an <\/span><b>invaluable tool in the early detection of certain conditions and diseases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including cancer, heart disease, and disorders of the brain (such as seizures).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Is a PET Scan Used For?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what is a PET scan used for, exactly?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A traditional CT scan creates a <\/span><b>detailed still image of your animal&#8217;s organs, bones, and tissues<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A PET scan, on the other hand, shows veterinarians h<\/span><b>ow the tissues in the body work at a cellular level<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It can detect areas of absorption (where more chemical activity is occurring in the body), which can be indicative of disease. PET scans can also <\/span><b>provide details about how well blood or oxygen travels throughout the body and how well sugar is processed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means that a PET scan can be used to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Show how the heart is working<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Locate cancerous cells<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examine how the body is reacting to cancer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify lapses in cognitive function<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find an infection<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detect brain disorders, including problems with the central nervous system (CNS) and seizures<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To perform a PET scan, the animal is injected with a specific amount of a radioactive drug (radiopharmaceutical) designed to target the area of interest. A PET scanner is then used to generate an image from the radiopharmaceutical inside the animal and identify the functio<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">n of that tissue. <\/span><b>This data is then used to help in the diagnosis and treatment of any potential disorders<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!--HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><span id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-465290ea-10d2-4c19-9929-11661b65351e\" class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\"><span id=\"hs-cta-465290ea-10d2-4c19-9929-11661b65351e\" class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-465290ea-10d2-4c19-9929-11661b65351e\"><!-- [if lte IE 8]>\n\n\n<div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div>\n\n\n<![endif]--><a href=\"https:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/6092775\/465290ea-10d2-4c19-9929-11661b65351e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"hs-cta-img-465290ea-10d2-4c19-9929-11661b65351e\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" style=\"border-width: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/6092775\/465290ea-10d2-4c19-9929-11661b65351e.png\" alt=\"New call-to-action\" width=\"750\" height=\"119\" \/><\/a><\/span><script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> hbspt.cta.load(6092775, '465290ea-10d2-4c19-9929-11661b65351e', {\"useNewLoader\":\"true\",\"region\":\"na1\"}); <\/script><\/span><!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advantages of Using a PET Scan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve answered the question, \u201cWhat is a PET scan used for?\u201d. Now let\u2019s take a look at some of the many advantages of using a PET scan to diagnose and treat animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improved Diagnostics<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most obvious advantage of using a PET scan is that it <\/span><b>enables improved diagnostic accuracy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, Cancer cells show up as bright spots on PET scans because they have a higher metabolic rate than normal cells. <\/span><b>This makes tumours much easier to detect than with other forms of imaging<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, often before the signs and symptoms of the disease are apparent. CT scans and MRIs, in contrast, are usually only able to detect Cancer once the disease has altered the structure of organs or tissues. And this can often be too late for optimum treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Early detection of diseases at the cellular level also gives veterinarians advance notice of complex systemic diseases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), brain tumours, and seizure disorders. This means that <\/span><b>conditions can often be treated before they fully-develop<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and cause any irreversible, lasting damage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another benefit of PET scans in terms of diagnostics is that they can be used in combination with other forms of imaging to <\/span><b>provide an even clearer picture of what\u2019s going on inside an animal\u2019s body<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, a PET scan can be performed at the same time as a CT or MRI scan. This is known as<\/span><b> image fusion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Images can be combined to create a three-dimensional image, which provides more information and allows for a more precise diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Painless &amp; Non-Invasive<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A PET scan is also<\/span><b> painless and non-invasive<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is important when you are dealing with animals who don\u2019t understand what is happening. <\/span><b>The only discomfort the animal will experience is from the initial injection of the radioactive material<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (a relatively low dosage which is perfectly safe). Then once the examination is over, the patient requires no recovery time, and they can go home and resume normal activities immediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The PET scan itself usually only takes around 30 minutes and both anatomy and metabolic function can be captured with a single scan in the case of image fusion (a combined PET-CT or PET-MRI scan). This means<\/span><b> fewer trips to the veterinary clinic, and less distress for the animal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhanced Treatment Plans<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, the ultimate benefit of using a PET scan is that it<\/span><b> provides you with much better data that can improve the diagnostic process and enable you to offer enhanced care and treatment to your patients<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You can detect potential diseases before they have had a chance to develop into more serious conditions, which means you are able to start a course of treatment far sooner than you would if you relied solely on traditional CT scans and X-rays. And this, ultimately, means that <\/span><b>you can help more animals and save more lives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!--HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><span id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-21d94b4e-fece-4bb5-ac0a-dcecfc9ba560\" class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\"><span id=\"hs-cta-21d94b4e-fece-4bb5-ac0a-dcecfc9ba560\" class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-21d94b4e-fece-4bb5-ac0a-dcecfc9ba560\"><!-- [if lte IE 8]>\n\n\n<div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div>\n\n\n<![endif]--><a href=\"https:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/6092775\/21d94b4e-fece-4bb5-ac0a-dcecfc9ba560\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"hs-cta-img-21d94b4e-fece-4bb5-ac0a-dcecfc9ba560\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" style=\"border-width: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/6092775\/21d94b4e-fece-4bb5-ac0a-dcecfc9ba560.png\" alt=\"New call-to-action\" width=\"750\" height=\"393\" \/><\/a><\/span><script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> hbspt.cta.load(6092775, '21d94b4e-fece-4bb5-ac0a-dcecfc9ba560', {\"useNewLoader\":\"true\",\"region\":\"na1\"}); <\/script><\/span><!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Diagnostic imaging plays an enormous role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease in both human and veterinary medicine. In fact, imaging technology has advanced to such an extent over recent years that medical practitioners are now able to diagnose and treat a range of conditions that had been difficult to detect in the past. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":59018,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[435],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dinbeat-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59014"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60433,"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59014\/revisions\/60433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dinbeat.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}