Understanding Your PET Scan Results After Lymphoma Treatment: Key Insights
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Report Hello, I am a physician. After undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma, you had a PET/CT scan, and the report is as follows. Let me explain it to you, thank you! **FDG PET/CT [Interpretation]** 1. There are fibrotic changes and ground-glass...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Mr. MK, the report can be summarized as follows: 1. Fibrotic changes/Ground-glass opacities (GGOs) with nondifferentiable to mild FDG uptake in the bilateral lungs, possibly indicating inflammation. This section describes the presence of some lesions in both lungs with mi...[Read More] Understanding Your PET Scan Results After Lymphoma Treatment: Key Insights
Understanding Gallium-67 Scanning: Radiation Dose Concerns Explained
Gallium-67 inflammation scan Hello Doctor, I apologize for bothering you. I previously inquired about the radiation dose for Gallium-67 inflammation scans, and the information I found online stated it was 3 millisieverts, which is considered very low. However, Dr. Zheng mentioned...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
3 mCi refers to 3 millicuries, which is a unit of radioactivity for radioactive pharmaceuticals. The unit for measuring the radiation dose received by the human body is millisieverts (mSv). The radiation dose from nuclear medicine examinations is influenced by the characteristics...[Read More] Understanding Gallium-67 Scanning: Radiation Dose Concerns Explained
How Long Does Thyrogen Last for Thyroid Cancer Treatment?
How long can two doses of Thyrogen be maintained? Hello doctor, a family member has been diagnosed with stage I thyroid cancer. Before the first iodine-131 treatment of 30 mCi, they received two injections of Thyrogen. After the scan, the doctor mentioned that 3 to 4 more treatme...
Dr. Lin Lifang Reply:
Hello: According to the literature, the half-life of Thyrogen in the body is 22 ± 9 hours, meaning that the efficacy of the drug may be insufficient more than a day after each injection. Additionally, to enhance thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, the package insert states that o...[Read More] How Long Does Thyrogen Last for Thyroid Cancer Treatment?
Understanding Radiation Exposure from Nuclear Medicine Scans: What You Need to Know
Radiation Issues Hello, Doctor. In March of this year, I visited a large hospital due to shoulder and neck pain. The doctor arranged for a nuclear medicine whole-body bone scan and an inflammatory tissue scan (whole-body bone scan + Gallium-67 inflammation scan). I would like to ...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Ms. Wen, I apologize for the delayed response due to the busy clinical workload. The radiation exposure dose from nuclear medicine examinations depends on the radionuclide of the injected medication, the dosage, and the excretion of the medication after injection (drinking ...[Read More] Understanding Radiation Exposure from Nuclear Medicine Scans: What You Need to Know
Understanding PET Scan Reports: A Guide for Patients and Families
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan Report Inquiry Hello, Director Zheng: I would like to ask for your help in interpreting this report for my family, as their doctor did not provide an explanation and only gave this report. I have looked up some terms, but I am still concer...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Based on the report, your family member is likely a lymphoma patient, and this PET scan appears to be an evaluation report for treatment or follow-up. There should have been at least one previous PET scan conducted. 1. Resolution of abnormal activity in the nasopharyngeal and n...[Read More] Understanding PET Scan Reports: A Guide for Patients and Families
Can You Eat Breakfast Before a Myocardial Perfusion Scan?
Can I have breakfast on the morning of a myocardial perfusion scan? Hello Dr. Cheng, I would like to ask if I can have breakfast on the morning of the myocardial perfusion scan. Recently, I have been experiencing chest tightness and shortness of breath at night, along with unex...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Ms. X. There are actually many different methods for myocardial perfusion imaging, depending on the radiopharmaceutical used, primarily Tl-201 and Tc-99m MIBI. Additionally, the stress phase of the examination can be induced by either pharmacological agents or exercise, an...[Read More] Can You Eat Breakfast Before a Myocardial Perfusion Scan?
Impact of MRI on Artificial Hip Joint in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Artificial hip joint and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? Hello, Director Lin! I am a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and have an artificial hip joint, so I have been using CT scans to examine my lumbar and cervical spine. The results confirmed that I need surgery on the C3-C4...
Dr. Lin Lifang Reply:
Hello, first let me explain the differences between computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), also known as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). CT uses X-rays as the energy transmission method, combined with scanning patterns and computational algorithms to obt...[Read More] Impact of MRI on Artificial Hip Joint in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Does I-131 Treatment Affect Kidney Function? Important Considerations
Does iodine-131 harm the kidneys? Hello Dr. Cheng, my family member is scheduled for an I-131 Thyroid Uptake and Scan. The examination order states that they need to take radioactive iodine beforehand. Since my family member's kidney function is not very good and is still un...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Wang, the radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine primarily utilize radiation produced by radioactive isotopes for imaging examinations. The doses required are extremely low, and there is almost no risk of nephrotoxicity, allowing patients with impaired renal func...[Read More] Does I-131 Treatment Affect Kidney Function? Important Considerations
Assessing Bone Scan Results: Is It Bone Metastasis or Avascular Necrosis?
Could you please help me check if this is bone metastasis? The patient was diagnosed with stage 4A tongue cancer on August 30, 2018, and underwent 35 sessions of radiation therapy and 3 cycles of chemotherapy. On March 3, 2021, a new diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer was made, w...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Ms. Liu. A nuclear medicine bone scan is a functional imaging technique commonly used in the diagnosis of bone metastases from cancer. It has the advantage of high sensitivity; however, its specificity for bone metastases is not very high. Other benign lesions that are not...[Read More] Assessing Bone Scan Results: Is It Bone Metastasis or Avascular Necrosis?
Can PET Scans Replace Inflammation Imaging for Infection Assessment?
Can positron emission tomography (PET) replace inflammatory scans? Hello Dr. Chuang, Recently, a family member was hospitalized due to a bacterial infection. Follow-up tests did not reveal any bacteria, and the inflammatory markers have returned to normal levels. However, the fa...
Dr. Zhuang Zhijian Reply:
1. The commonly used radiopharmaceutical for positron emission tomography (PET) is F-18 FDG, which is frequently utilized for detecting tumors in cancer patients. Additionally, PET can identify metabolically active inflammatory lesions and assess whether tissues or organs are inf...[Read More] Can PET Scans Replace Inflammation Imaging for Infection Assessment?
Understanding PET Scan Results: What Do Bright Spots Mean for Your Health?
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Report Issues Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing a sensation of a foreign body and sharp pain in my oral and pharyngeal walls, which becomes more pronounced when swallowing saliva. There is also sharp pain and a foreign body sensation in the...
Dr. Zhuang Zhijian Reply:
Thank you for your questions. Here are the explanations: Q1. I would like to ask the doctor if the bright spots in positron emission tomography (PET) indicate the presence of unhealthy cells that absorb the injected substances and appear brighter? A: Positron emission tomograp...[Read More] Understanding PET Scan Results: What Do Bright Spots Mean for Your Health?
Understanding PET Scan Results: Navigating Uncertainty in Throat Symptoms
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Report Issues Hello Doctor, I have a question that I would like to ask. I feel very helpless and do not know how to deal with the persistent sensation of pain and foreign body feeling in my throat. I have undergone the following examinations: in...
Dr. Zhuang Zhijian Reply:
If a biopsy is performed and tissue samples are obtained, staining the tissue and conducting histopathological examination under a microscope can assist in diagnosis and serve as a basis for further treatment. It is recommended to discuss this with an otolaryngologist.[Read More] Understanding PET Scan Results: Navigating Uncertainty in Throat Symptoms
Understanding PET Scan Reports: Interpreting SUV Values and Their Implications
Interpretation of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Report Hello Doctor, the report from the PET scan I had last time has come out, and I have some questions. The report states: "The whole body study revealed increased uptake of radioactivity involving the right nasophary...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Chen, I apologize for the confusion. Although I recall responding to your question about a month ago, the system indicates that I have not yet addressed your inquiry. It may be a technical error. Regardless, it is more important to answer your question. As mentioned l...[Read More] Understanding PET Scan Reports: Interpreting SUV Values and Their Implications
Understanding PET Scan Results: Distinguishing Between Benign and Malignant Findings
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Interpretation Hello Doctor, I recently had a PET scan, and the doctor mentioned that the results were quite clean, except for one area of uptake in both my nose and neck. When I heard there was uptake, I felt worried, but the doctor said it was...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
The principle of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging involves injecting a glucose-like radiotracer into the body. Cancer cells have a higher metabolic rate and therefore utilize more glucose, allowing for the identification of cancer cells based on this characteristic. How...[Read More] Understanding PET Scan Results: Distinguishing Between Benign and Malignant Findings
Understanding PET Scans for Lymph Node Concerns: Accuracy and Insights
Positron Inquiry Hello Doctor, I am a patient who is very concerned about lymphadenopathy and I am afraid that I might have lymphoma. I feel like I have many swollen lymph nodes all over my body, and I also have splenomegaly. To ease my mind, I have scheduled a PET scan, but I am...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Mr. Chen. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) primarily utilizes radioactive tracers similar to glucose to detect tissues with high glucose metabolism rates, a characteristic commonly found in cancers. Therefore, PET can be used to detect cancer by identifying lymph nodes w...[Read More] Understanding PET Scans for Lymph Node Concerns: Accuracy and Insights
Impact of Bone Scans on Early Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Bone scan Hello, I would like to ask if my friend had a bone scan at the hospital on March 25th around noon. I visited her at her home around 5 PM, sometimes maintaining a distance of 1 meter, but at times we sat together. I stayed at her house until about 8:30 PM. Today, March 2...
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Miss Yue'er. After the bone scan, the radiation dose around the patient is approximately 0.00006 millisieverts per hour, five hours post-procedure. The radiation dose you would receive from a three-hour exposure is about 0.00021 millisieverts. This radiation dose is w...[Read More] Impact of Bone Scans on Early Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Understanding I-131 Treatment: Concerns About Salivary Glands and Dental Health
Many worries, not sure what to do? Hello, Doctor. During a lecture, a physician from the nuclear medicine department mentioned that the isotope I-131 can lead to decreased saliva gland secretion, which may increase the risk of dental caries. Is this primarily associated with high...
Dr. Zhuang Zhijian Reply:
Hello! Thank you for your inquiry. Here are the responses to your questions: 1. Effects of Iodine-131 on Salivary Glands: Iodine-131 is a radioactive isotope used for diagnosis and treatment, with varying dosages. (1) For whole-body scans, approximately 2-5 mCi is used; (2) for ...[Read More] Understanding I-131 Treatment: Concerns About Salivary Glands and Dental Health
Understanding Radiation Exposure in Myocardial Perfusion Scans: Alternatives Available?
Myocardial perfusion imaging radiation I would like to ask the doctor: How many millisieverts does a single myocardial perfusion scan typically involve? I am quite concerned. Are there any alternative tests that do not involve radiation? Thank you!
Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Andrew, a nuclear medicine myocardial perfusion scan typically involves a radiation dose of about 20 millisieverts. Generally speaking, this level of radiation does not significantly increase the risk of cancer, so you need not worry excessively about delaying your diag...[Read More] Understanding Radiation Exposure in Myocardial Perfusion Scans: Alternatives Available?
Nuclear Medicine FAQ
| Iodine-131 | Pet Scan |
| Positron Emission Tomography | Radiation |