Question 1

how does metal affect the results of a pet scan?

Accepted Answer

Metals and Imaging: Pet scans rely on radioactive sugar honing to areas consuming lots of energy, like cancer (sarcoid too), metals from prior surgery usually doesn't interfere.  Mri is a different story . Metal fragments, bullets, implanted devices can move or heat in magnetic fields. Modern medical implants (hips, knees, plates) commonly are compatible. They interefere with ct's and plane films: obstruct view.

Question 2

could you tell me what this print out of a pet scan results means ?

Accepted Answer

Discuss with doctor.: It is best to discuss your pet scan results with your physician so that you can be sure that you have a detailed and correct understanding of the scenario.  If you have any specific questions, be sure to have them clarified.  Without the results, it is difficult to answer your question.  Hope this helps.

Question 3

how do pet scans work? my wife is scheduled for a pet scan and i was wondering how it works.  is this a good test relative to the other kinds of tests you can do? is it accurate? do you know how long it usually takes to get the results back?

Accepted Answer

PET : Pet scans work by detecting areas of high metabolic activity in the body and producing a three-dimensional image that reflects functional processes.  It is considered a very good test relative to other kinds of imaging tests, and is very accurate for certain indications. Common indications include the diagnosis, staging, and re-staging of certain cancers such as non small cell lung cancer, lymphoma, and melanoma. It is also used to evaluate treatment response in certain cancers such as breast cancer. Sometimes it is used for problem solving when other tests were inconclusive. The nuclear medicine physician or radiologist, who is a doctor who specializes in diagnostic imaging, will usually interpret the study on the day that it is performed or the day after. The results should be available for your doctor who ordered the test to review by the following day. Contact your doctor a day or two after the test to review the results with you.

Question 4

does "hypometabolism" on an fdg pet scan indicate a normal result?

Accepted Answer

: No, it is an abnormal finding. Please discuss with the neurologist or radiologist. Take care!

Question 5

what will happen to my pet scan result if i cannot keep myself warm before the exam?

Accepted Answer

No difference: Pet scan picks up signals from your cells' metabolism whether you are warm or cold.

Question 6

my sister has suspected thymoma, her pet scan suv was 3.8, is this high? the result was inconclusive....

Accepted Answer

Yes it is abnormal/h: It is high but it can be due to inflammation or due to cancer.

Question 7

which is better, pet scan or cisternogram?  father already had a cisternogram results borderline positive. should pet scan be done or repeat cisterno

Accepted Answer

Different tests: Cisternography  is used to determine if there is  normal pressure hydrocephalus. It looks at the flow of CSF fluid.

Pet scans are for looking at the brain cells and associated pathology.

Question 8

pet scan results were fine so why do they want me to have a bronchial scope done ?wouldn't the scan have shown any spread to the lymph nodes already ?

Accepted Answer

Variable conditions: Pet scan is quite sensitive in detecting metabolically active tumors. Sometimes  other issues contribute to the patient's health such as infectious components or problems in lung ventilation.You should question your physician about any test or change in your health care. You should have an answer  to any question concerning your health.

Question 9

stress test on 7-10-2015. i went today for the results. they said the scans were normal and no blockages. the dr wants me to do pet scan now because even though the results were normal my bp was 150/100 right before and 120/80 after. is that normal?

Accepted Answer

High BP: A resting bp of 150/100 is definitely elevated. 120/80 is normal. I'm unclear as to what reason you're having a pet scan. To fully evaluate your blood pressure you need several more readings after resting for several minutes. In the meantime avoid excess salt use,alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. Keep your weight at an ideal level and exercise regularly. Your physician will advise you further.

Question 10

what can a heart pet scan diagnos ?
if it is abnormal result, what is the outcome needed procedure or treatment plan ?

Accepted Answer

Heart perfusion: A heart PET scan evaluates the blood flow to the heart.  It can also detect prior damage and give information on the overall function of the heart.  This test is not widely used in cardiac evaluations, thus addressing an abnormality on the scan would depend on why your doctor recommended the scan for you.

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Doctor answers about:

Understanding pet scan results

A member asked:

How does metal affect the results of a pet scan?

A member asked:

Could you tell me what this print out of a pet scan results means ?

A member asked:

How do pet scans work? my wife is scheduled for a pet scan and i was wondering how it works. is this a good test relative to the other kinds of tests you can do? is it accurate? do you know how long it usually takes to get the results back?

A member asked:

Does "hypometabolism" on an fdg pet scan indicate a normal result?

A member asked:

What will happen to my pet scan result if i cannot keep myself warm before the exam?

A member asked:

My sister has suspected thymoma, her pet scan suv was 3.8, is this high? the result was inconclusive....

A member asked:

Which is better, pet scan or cisternogram? father already had a cisternogram results borderline positive. should pet scan be done or repeat cisterno

A member asked:

Pet scan results were fine so why do they want me to have a bronchial scope done ?wouldn't the scan have shown any spread to the lymph nodes already ?

A member asked:

Stress test on 7-10-2015. i went today for the results. they said the scans were normal and no blockages. the dr wants me to do pet scan now because even though the results were normal my bp was 150/100 right before and 120/80 after. is that normal?

A member asked:

What can a heart pet scan diagnos ? if it is abnormal result, what is the outcome needed procedure or treatment plan ?

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