january, 2019 | Th e HealtH Plus
09
p09
PET-CT Scan is
90% more accurate
PET-CT Scan is a type of imaging device which combines
radiopharmaceuticals, a specialised camera lens, and an advanced computer
system to detect abnormalities in our bodies. It can detect cancerous cells at a
level no CT scanners or MRIs can, by monitoring blood fl ow and changes in
the body to 90% accuracy.
Do’s and Don’t’s
Before
• Patients are advised to fast 24 hours
before undergo the test.
• Patients can only drink plain water within
6 hours before the test.
• Patients are allowed to take any routine
medications during fasting, except for
diabetes medication where consumption
of it needs to stop 12 hours before the test.
Whereas the last insulin injection should be
4 hours before the test.
• Radiopharmaceutical (18F-FDG), also
called tracers, will be injected before the
test to produce the images.
During
“The imaging
device is unique
because it is able to
detect information
about the function
and structure of the
heart commonly
more diffi cult to
detect in other
imaging devices.”
– Datuk Dr Ahmad
Khairuddin
a
Positron Emisson tomography (PEt
scan) is a nuclear medicine functional
imaging technique that is used to
observe metabolic processes in the
body as an aid to the diagnosis of
diseases.
On the other hand, a Ct imaging
system is an x-ray tool specialized in producing all
sorts of images within the body. Th e images are then
shown on a monitor and are analyzed by cardiologists
or radiologists. it is an eff ective tool to detect any
abnormalities within the body at a certain level.
Th e combination of these two technologies makes
the PEt-Ct scan, the imaging tool that is highly accu-
rate and eff ective in making a diagnosis. Th e system
also plays an important role in determining the best
treatment for the patients.
in regards to determining the faults of the heart
through the use of PEt-Ct scan, we turn to Head of
imaging Center and Consultant Cardiologist Datuk Dr
Ahmad Khairuddin Mohamed Yusof. According to him,
the technology is used mainly to detect cancer cells as
well as fi nding abnormalities of the heart.
“Th e imaging device is unique because it is able to
detect information about the function and structure
of the heart commonly more diffi cult to detect in other
imaging devices. By detecting the changes in the body,
the PEt-Ct can detect the early onset of a disease
before a Ct scan or an MRi could,” he tells.
From left: YB Dr Lee Boon Chye, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Aziz, Dato Seri Azhari Yakub and Dato Abdul Rahman
Ahmad visiting the newly acquired PET-CT scanner in IJN.
• Patients will need to wait for about an
hour for the tracers to travel around your
body before the scanning commences.
Usually with the patients rested.
• During resting, patients are encouraged
to drink plenty of water to help fl ush out the
tracers later.
• Patients will usually be permitted to bring
family members along the procedure,
however pregnant women and children will
not be allowed.
• The actual scanning procedure would
take around 20 to 45 minutes depending
on the situation.
After
• Patients are advised to drink more water
(5 glasses) after the procedure.
• Nursing mothers should wait for 24 hours
before resuming breastfeeding.
• Patients are advised to let the doctors
know as soon as possible if th ey
experience any side effects after the test.
A PEt-Ct machine looks a lot like a Ct scan, a
rounded machine with a hole in the middle. inside of
it however is where the similarities end. it has loops of
scanners which detect radioactive discharge injected
the body. When the body enters through the short
tunnel, the scanners begin to circulate. information is
then visualized on the monitor.
Th e radiotherapy discharge mentioned is the result
of the radiopharmaceuticals, a radioactive component.
Th e radiopharmaceuticals are injected into the body,
and the radioactivity will then give out gamma rays,
which are picked up by the camera lenses of the PEt-Ct
and are shown in 3D images.
With the PEt-Ct scan, doctors at institut Jantung
negara (iJn) are able to detect minor changes in the
heart and provide early diagnosis and treatment. “We
are happy to provide the option for a PEt-Ct scan
here at iJn as it can help us to identify problems and
come up with a diagnosis at an earlier stage,” Dr Ahmad
Khairuddin says.
the PEt-Ct scan was unveiled alongside iJn’s
imaging center supported by Permodalan nasional
Berhad (PnB). services has already begun, and has been
utilized by around 50 patients since its launch. — Th e
Health Plus