Is PET Scan Painful?​

 

If someone has been advised to take a PET scan​, they might be wondering what to expect from it, especially with the aspect of whether it would be painful or not. At such times, when a person is not sure what to expect from the test, it is quite common for anxiety to take over. However, patients might be relieved to know that a PET scan in itself is not a painful procedure. Unlike other invasive tests and surgeries, this highly advanced imaging technique does not require cuts, incisions, or stitches, which can cause potential pain. Hence, this test is mostly free from any major pain or discomfort. In fact, the most challenging part about this test for patients is not the pain, but the discomfort and struggle associated with lying still in a place for the duration of the test, which can be anywhere from around 30 minutes to an hour. In this article, we will discuss in detail about the PET ct scan near me​, the process involved in it, and what a patient can expect from it. 

What is a PET scan?

A Positron Emission Tomography Scan or PET scan​ is an imaging technique that produces images of internal organs and tissues at work. This highly advanced test uses small amounts of a radioactive chemical called a radiotracer that is injected into the body of the patient, and a device called a PET scanner. The scanner detects the cells that are absorbing large amounts of radioactive tracer, indicating that they are diseased. Doctors often use PET scan for cancer diagnosis and monitoring the treatment process of cancer. This test detects the early signs of different types of cancers, heart disease, and brain conditions. 

How is a PET scan different from a CT scan and an MRI?

A PET scan is more advanced and efficient than a CT scan and an MRI. A CT scan or Computed Tomography, uses X-rays, while an MRI uses magnetic and radio waves to produce still images of the internal organs of the body. On the other hand, a PET scan uses radioactive tracer, and produces real-time images of the organs while they are at work. This allows healthcare providers to know and understand how the organs are functioning in real-time. Sometimes the doctors might advise a PET ct scan near me​, which involves both the techniques of PET scan and CT scan to provide better and more accurate 3D imaging.

How does a PET scan work?

A PET scan is a kind of Nuclear imaging technique, which uses small and safe amounts of Radioactive material injected into the body through an IV. Contrary to the other imaging methods, a PET scan focuses more on the processes and molecular activity of the different organs in the body. This allows it to diagnose several diseases in very early stages. The malfunctioning cells in the body absorb more amounts of radiotracer than other cells which are working fine and are healthy.  These are called ‘hot spots’. A PET ct scan in chandigarh involves the combination of X-rays from a CT scan and the results obtained from a PET scan.

What is the process of a PET scan?

On the day of the PET scan, a patient might undergo the following steps:

1. The healthcare provider injects a small amount of radioactive tracer in the body of the patient.
2. The patient is then made to sit on a chair for around an hour while the radiotracer moves through their body. 
3. In case of a PET ct scan​, a contrast dye is also injected into the body of the patient so as to produce sharper and better images.
4. The patient is then made to lie down on the table of the scanner, which moves in and out of the PET scanner. This PET scanner is a doughnut shaped machine which has a diameter of around 30 inches.
5. The patient must remain still during the scan, since movement can result in blurry images. The patient might hear some buzzing or clicking sounds during this process.
6. An expert then reviews the images produced in the test to make sure that they have been taken properly and are not blurry.

Thus, now we know that a PET scan is a highly advanced technology that produces high-quality, real-time images of the working of the internal organs of the body. Since this test does not involve any kind of cuts or incisions, it is completely pain-free. However, the patients can face a slight sort of discomfort while lying down still on the table for the duration of the scan.

If you are looking for PET scan hospital near me or PET CT scan in Chandigarh, Sohana Hospital might be the right choice for you. Sohana Hospital Mohali boasts of the world’s most advanced, cutting-edge technology and expert nuclear medicine specialists who provide the most accurate and precise PET CT scans in the region. Book your appointment today and take the first step towards a healthier life!