Whole Body Positron Emission And Computed Tomography (PET/CT)
Abroad
Whole Body Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed
Tomography (CT) cost:
{the cost covers all destination medical & logistics costs}
International Destinations: India, Jordan, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey
Whole Body Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT)
is a combined modality imaging technique which provides critical assistance
to the physician in whole body tumor staging in a single session. In simple
terms, PET scan is a device which is used for imaging using nuclear medicine,
which demonstrates the physiological functions of the tissue cells mainly metabolism,
while a CT scan provides information about the anatomical structures like shape,
size and location. The combination of these two technologies is most commonly
used by physicians to accurately diagnose and identify cancers, brain disorders
or heart diseases.
This imaging technology is available at some of the leading hospitals across
the world. International destinations, where this technology is easily accessible
at lower prices compared to US healthcare market, are, Mexico in North America,
Jordan and Turkey in Western Asia, India in South East Asia and South Korea
in East Asia.
When is a Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography (PET/CT) needed?
PET CT is used for the detection of certain disease conditions, to assess the
physiological functioning of organ tissue and to determine the subsequent course
of treatment and constantly reviewing the treatment process. PET CT scans are
conducted for,
- Detection of Cancer
- To determine the spread of cancer throughout the body
- Map the normal functions of the brain and the heart and analyze the quality
of flow of blood to these organs
- Review and evaluate the effectiveness of radiation therapy
- Evaluate the clinical effects of ischemia or infarction on the myocardial
tissue and review the effectiveness of various cardiac procedures like coronary
artery bypass or angioplasty surgery in the management of cardiac problems
- Evaluate and determine the course of management of brain abnormalities,
memory disorders and epileptic seizures.
Differentiating Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography (PET/CT)
and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- As per a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association
(JAMA), a whole body PET/CT is more useful in determining the extent of tumor
as compared to a whole body MRI
- An MRI produces an external magnetic field which allows the viewing of the
internal organs in a three dimensional format. On the other hand, a PET/CT
machine combines imaging with nuclear medicine which allows "functional imaging".
Hence the PET/CT is capable of depicting spatial distribution of metabolic
activities in the body, by simply correlating information from the two different
devices. A software technology allows the two dimensional images (of the PET
scan) and three dimensional images (of the CT scan) to be superimposed and
help to reconstruct the image of the internal organ.
- Though MRI and PET/CT both are used for a whole body tumor staging in a
single session, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), mainly focuses on morphological
or structural characteristics of the tissue, on the other hand Positron Emission
Tomography when used in conjunction with a CT scan provides metabolic functional
information about the tissue cells
- The functional metabolic information will help in appropriate staging of
different malignancies. This gives a PET/CT an edge over the MRI.
Preparing for the Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography Examination:
There are no special considerations for the preparation, for the scan tests;
however certain guidelines are to be followed,
- The patient is expected to share a detailed medical history with the technologist
and the presiding physician. This will keep them informed about the patient's
condition and also guide them in terms of what to specifically look for in
the scans
- An intravenous contrast material will be injected during the scan and hence
patients with previous history of any form of allergic reaction (to sea food,
iodine, etc) should inform the technologist before hand. In such cases, they
would use an alternate contrast material
- For breast feeding mothers, it is recommended that mothers extract breast
milk prior to the procedure and store it to feed their babies, till the contrast
material is completed excreted from the body ( which is approximately 12 hours
after the tests)
- Metal objects, jewellery, dentures, eye glasses, etc are not allowed inside
the scan room and should not be carried to the scanning centre.
- The patient is asked to refrain from ingesting anything after midnight of
the day prior to when the surgery is scheduled (i.e. for about 12 hours prior
to the scan). Except for diabetic patients who are made special recommendations
to avoid hypoglycemic attacks
Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography:
The principle The principal of how a PET scan operates can be explained
as follows,
- A typical X ray, releases beams that pass through the body via an external
source, which create an image of the internal organs on a film
- On the other hand, for a PET scan, a radioactive substance called a radiotracer
or radiopharmaceutical is injected in the patient's body. This material, then
collects in the tissue or organ which has to be examined, are releases gamma
rays (from inside the body) which are detected by special a camera called
"Gamma camera". This gives a more comprehensive understanding of the internal
structure.
- Also the radiotracer or radiopharmaceutical accumulates in the organ depending
upon the metabolic or chemical activity. Hence, the radioactive material is
found in a greater concentration in areas where the metabolic or chemical
activity is high and in lesser concentration in areas where the metabolic
or chemical activity is low. This allows the physician to understand the physiological
process within the body in addition to understanding the anatomy and structure.
Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography: The procedure
- The procedure doesn't require hospitalization, and is normally performed
as an out patient procedure.
- The patient is appropriately positioned on the examination table of the
imaging device.
- A radiotracer or radiopharmaceutical is injected intravenously. Alternatively,
the patient may be asked to swallow or inhale the radiotracer depending upon
the organ that is to be examined
- After the ingestion or injection of the radiotracer, the patient is requested
to rest without moving or talking for approximately about an hour. During
this time the radiotracer travels through the body and is gets accumulated
into the tissue or the organ that is to be studied.
- Subsequently, the patient is given contrast material to drink which localize
and accumulates in intestinal tissue and facilitate the radiologist in interpreting
the findings of the examination.
- Now, the patient is moved to the scanning room and the process of imaging
begins. The patient is asked to not to move during the imaging process.
- First, the CT scan examination is done, and then the PET scanning examination
is done. CT scan examination takes hardly a couple of minutes, while PET scan
examination takes approximately half an hour.
- On completion of the examination, the technologist would review the images
and check if there is a need to take additional images. On some occasions,
additional images may be required. Please don't panic in such situation, as
the additional images help the radiologist to gain greater clarity over the
examination and visualize certain areas more clearly.
Limitation of the Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography test
- The procedure requires the radiotracer to accumulate in a particular organ
or body part which is to be examined. This could take hours or even days,
though newer technologies have hastened the process. Further the imaging studies
could take a few hours.
- Since PET scan primarily focuses on studying the metabolic functions in
the organ tissues, chemical imbalances within the body may give false test
results. This is most commonly observed in patients having diabetes.
- The radioactive substance used has a very short half life and decays very
fast. Therefore, in any case, if there is any delay, the procedure needs to
be invariably rescheduled
Precautions to be taken after a Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography
Test
- The radiotracer injected has a very short half life and will decay very
soon. It is excreted within the first few hours after the examination. Hence
the patient is requested to drink lots of water to hasten the excretion of
the radiotracer
- Since the radiotracer is excreted through urine, the patient is instructed
to follow special precautions like flushing the toilet two times after using
it and washing the hands thoroughly to avoid accumulation of the radioactive
substance.
- Occasionally, patients are known to suffer from allergic reactions to the
radiotracer or the contrast material which is used. The patients are instructed
to inform the doctor immediately in such a situation, to help take immediate
remedial action
- Site of intravenous injection of the radiotracer may cause slight pain and
irritation for a few hours after the examination.
Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography Test in India:
India is one of the fastest growing nations in the world, with its healthcare
system registering a growth of over 15% annually. This exponential growth in
all sectors has propelled the development and has put India on the map of the
best medical tourism destinations across the world.
Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography Test in South Korea:
With superior quality of medical and healthcare infrastructure, and highly
trained and skilled medical teams, South Korea has the best healthcare facilities.
These facilities house the very best and ultra modern equipments that have contributed
significantly in the improvement of the overall quality and effectiveness of
medical care services.
Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography Test in Mexico:
Mexico has several JCI accredited hospitals (adhering to international infrastructural
norms for hospitals), which are specially designed to cater to foreign medical
tourists especially from the neighboring United States of America. Mexico gives
the advantage of cost and proximity to American Medical Tourists.
Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography Test in Jordan:
Jordan is one of the fastest growing medical tourism destinations in the world.
The country has registered an astonishing increase in the number of medical
tourists visiting annually. Jordan predominately caters to the European nations,
but has also gained strong reputation among several Americans medical tourists.
Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography Test in Turkey:
Turkey has evolved as a centre of international medical care, as it caters
to most of the Middle Eastern countries. Turkey's biggest strengths are its
highly trained and qualified manpower and low cost services. Its proximity to
the Middle East has helped it grow as a medical tourism destination.
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at Anadolu Medical Center, Turkey
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Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates whole body positron emission and
computed tomography (PET/CT) in Europe (Turkey) and other overseas world-class
oncology treatment destinations.
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