What are possible complications of a PET scan?

What are possible complications of a PET scan?

If undergoing a combination PET-CT scan, the iodine-based contrast dye used for the CT component can cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headache, itching, flushing, and mild rash. In rare cases, a serious, all-body allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis may occur.

Can PET scans harm you?

However, a PET scan is totally safe and there are no potential side effects that follow it. PET scans work like this: the radioactive compound that is injected into the body requires time to travel to the area that is to be imaged.

What is considered a high SUV on a PET scan?

Positron Emission Tomography Typically, a standardized uptake value (SUV), a quantity that incorporates the patient’s size and the injected dose, that is more than 2.0 is considered to be suggestive of malignancy, whereas lesions with SUVs less than this value are considered to be benign.

Is there a lot of radiation in a PET scan?

A PET/CT exposes you to about 25 mSv of radiation. This is equal to about 8 years of average background radiation exposure.

How long does it take for radioactive dye to leave your system?

The radioactive liquid will be in your body for 24 to 36 hours after your test. You will need to do the following: Drink plenty of liquids as directed. This will help flush the radioactive liquid out of your body.

What does contrast dye do to your body?

Contrast materials help distinguish or “contrast” selected areas of the body from surrounding tissue. This helps physicians diagnose medical conditions by improving the visibility of specific organs, blood vessels, or tissues. Contrast materials enter the body in one of three ways.

How many PET scans can a person have in their lifetime?

Subramaniam says the three-scan limit applies to any tumor type, not just lung, and he and his investigators are researching whether additional scans have value in other cancers, including colorectal and breast cancers.

Are PET scans harmful?

The PET scan involves radioactive tracers, but the exposure to harmful radiation is minimal. According to the Mayo Clinic, the amount of radiation in the tracer is small, so the risks to your body are low. Still, it’s a good idea to discuss possible risks with your doctor.

How to prepare for a PET scan?

At the beginning of the PET scan procedure,you will sit in a chair and receive an injection of a small amount of radioactive material called FDG in a vein

You will be asked to sit quietly for a period of time,usually about 30-60 minutes.

You will be asked to lie down on a table which will move you through the PET/CT scanner.

Is a PET scan safe?

A PET scan is a safe test for most people. But like all medical tests it has some risks. Your doctor and radiographer make sure the benefits of having the test outweigh these risks. Pregnant women should only have the scan in an emergency. There’s a risk that the radiation could harm the developing baby.

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