Positron emission tomography, Nuclear Medicine FAQ

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Impact of Metal Objects During PET Scans: What You Need to Know

The process of positron emission tomography (PET) involves the presence of metal objects? I had a PET scan today, and during the first scan, I forgot to take my keys out of my pants pocket. I was reminded afterward, and I removed them for the second scan. I would like to know if ...


Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Ms. Lin, I apologize for the delay in responding to your question due to personal reasons. Metal objects like keys can obstruct the passage of radiation in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, resulting in artifacts on the images. It is important to avoid such item...

[Read More] Impact of Metal Objects During PET Scans: What You Need to Know


Understanding PET Scan Results for Colon Cancer: A Patient's Guide

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) I underwent a colonoscopy for a health check-up, during which a 1 cm polyp was removed. I was then referred to the oncology department for a PET scan, with the report as follows: According to the NCCN guidelines, I have been diagnosed with pT1 c...


Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello Mr. Li, based on your positron emission tomography (PET) report, there are three main conclusions: 1. There is no significant residual tumor or metastatic lesions observed in the imaging following treatment for your sigmoid colon cancer. 2. There is a lesion in the right ...

[Read More] Understanding PET Scan Results for Colon Cancer: A Patient's Guide


Understanding PET Scan Anomalies: Insights for Breast Cancer Patients

The PET scan report shows abnormalities, but the endoscopy results are normal? Hello Doctor: I am a breast cancer patient, stage I, and I have completed eight rounds of chemotherapy. The doctor is also preparing for surgery. Last week, before the surgery, the doctor arranged for ...


Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Ms. Chen. Various medical tests have their limitations, such as the possibility of false positives. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is currently an excellent imaging test used in the medical field for cancer diagnosis, but it can still produce some false positives that ...

[Read More] Understanding PET Scan Anomalies: Insights for Breast Cancer Patients


Understanding PET Scan Results: Key Insights for Breast Cancer Patients

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Report Inquiry Hello Doctor: Before my surgery for breast cancer, the hospital performed a PET scan. *Some minimal hot spots at left axillary nodes (SUVmax.eq=1.47).* A hot spot at the right posterior laryngeal region (SUVmax.eq=4.49).* Mild sym...


Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Miss Yueyue. This should be your second inquiry article. Your first question's third point refers to the mild symmetrical FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose, the radiotracer used in PET scans) uptake in both breasts. This situation is usually a normal physiological uptake, which...

[Read More] Understanding PET Scan Results: Key Insights for Breast Cancer Patients


Understanding Your PET Scan Results After Lymphoma Chemotherapy

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Hello, I am a lymphatic cancer patient who underwent six cycles of chemotherapy followed by a PET scan. Could you please help me explain the results? THANKS **FDG PET/CT [Interpretation]** 1. There are fibrotic changes and ground-glass opacitie...


Dr. Zhuang Zhijian Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question! Based on the information you provided, the report's inference indicates that there were no clear findings of malignancies that would uptake a significant amount of fluorodeoxyglucose during this examination. Positron emission tomography (P...

[Read More] Understanding Your PET Scan Results After Lymphoma Chemotherapy


Does Eating Between PET/CT Scans Affect Accuracy? Expert Insights

Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scan, should patients refrain from eating before the examination? Hello, Director Zheng. I have undergone several PET scans due to my breast cancer. I would like to inquire about the fasting requirement of maintaining an e...


Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Ms. Hsia. I apologize for the delayed response due to the busy clinical schedule. The radiopharmaceutical used in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, FDG, is a compound similar to glucose. If blood sugar levels are too high, it competes with the radiotracer, which ...

[Read More] Does Eating Between PET/CT Scans Affect Accuracy? Expert Insights


Does Eating Between PET/CT Scans Affect Accuracy of Results?

Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scan, is fasting required before the examination? Hello, Director Zheng. I have undergone several PET scans due to my breast cancer. I would like to inquire about the fasting requirement of 6 hours prior to the scan, which...


Dr. Zheng Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello, Ms. Hsia. I apologize for the delayed response due to the busy clinical schedule. The radiopharmaceutical used in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, FDG, is a compound similar to glucose. If blood sugar levels are too high, it can compete with the radiotracer, res...

[Read More] Does Eating Between PET/CT Scans Affect Accuracy of Results?


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 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


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