PET/CT Scans [Matt Hoover]

PET/CT scans combine two advanced imaging technologies to give doctors detailed information about both structure and function in the body. This video explains how PET/CT imaging works, its benefits for patients, and the convenience of having this technology available locally in Brookings.

  • Dual Imaging Technology: PET/CT combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and CAT scans to show both cellular function and anatomical structure.
  • Early Detection: PET/CT can identify issues at the cellular level before structural changes appear, allowing earlier diagnosis.
  • Versatile Use: PET/CT is valuable in oncology for diagnosis, staging, and post-treatment monitoring, as well as for neurological and cardiac conditions.
  • Local Access: Mobile PET/CT units bring world-class imaging to patients in Brookings, reducing travel and improving continuity of care.
  • Personalized Care: Local availability allows patients to stay within their healthcare network while receiving advanced imaging services.

Frequently Asked Questions

A PET/CT scan is a combination of two imaging modalities: a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan, which shows cellular function using a radioactive tracer, and a CT (CAT) scan, which provides detailed 3D images of the body’s structure. Together, they give a complete picture of both function and anatomy.

Doctors use PET/CT scans to detect disease earlier than traditional imaging, monitor cancer treatment, assist in pre-surgical planning for epilepsy, evaluate cardiac health, or differentiate neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Frontotemporal Dementia.

Alternatives include standalone CT, MRI, or nuclear medicine studies. However, these may only show structural changes and may not detect functional changes at the cellular level as early as PET/CT.

A small radioactive tracer is injected into the patient, which allows the PET scan to detect cellular activity. The CT scan is then performed to capture detailed structural images. The combination helps pinpoint exact locations of abnormal activity in the body.

Local PET/CT services reduce travel, keep patients within their healthcare network, and allow for more personalized care. Patients can access world-class imaging without leaving their community.

Video Transcript

My name is Matt Hoover. I work with DMS Health Technologies. We're based out of Fargo, North Dakota and I'm the Senior Manager of Market Development. My background is as a nuclear medicine PET/CT Technologist.

PET/CT scan is a combination of two radiology modalities, PET scan and the CAT scan. So, we're all familiar with the CAT scan, the 3D, CT, the X-ray which shows structure. The PET scan stands for Positron Emission Tomography. And what that entails is we inject the patient with a radioactive material and they become radioactive and we're able to see function from the cells within the patient's body and we detect those. So, what we do is we combine the PET scan and the CAT scan together, and we're able to see function and structure all in one and pinpoint exactly what's going on and where it's going on.

PET/CT scans benefit patients by providing physicians the information much earlier than they would with other traditional imaging modalities such as CTs, MRIs, that sort of thing. They do that by allowing us to see the function down on that cellular level much earlier before the structural changes occur. It's used in oncology diagnoses across the board and from initial staging to after treatment, it's a very important tool.

So, outside of the world of oncology, PET scans also benefit patients and providers by allowing us to find information regarding Alzheimer's versus Frontotemporal Dementia. It also helps with epileptic patients, pre-surgical planning for those, and also cardiac imaging as well, cardiac viability.

The mobile PET-CT unit brings a world-class technology to Brookings here. It allows the patients to have it in the comfort of their own town versus having to travel quite some distance to another location. And that also allows them to stay within their own facility and network as well, closer to home and at more personalized treatment here at Brookings.

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