Difference Between PET scan & CT Scan

Millions of Indians experience imaging tests yearly to help doctors diagnose a health condition. For example, Dr. Manish Singhal

the best cancer doctor in Delhi, says over 80 million CT scans are performed annually. Imaging methods provide a window to the interior human body without the need for an incision. This assists keep patients out of the operating room and saves them the risks and expenses of surgery. 

Two naturally ordered tests are CT and PET scans, but they are not the same. 

What Is a CT Scan?

A computed tomography (CT) scan is a particular imaging method. A CT scan delivers a detailed 3-D image of the inside of your body. This scan is often prescribed to check for abnormalities in the brain, spine, neck, chest, or abdomen. By looking at CT scan images, your doctor can consider hard tissues, such as your bones, and soft tissues, such as your muscles and organs. This indicates that a CT scan will show everything from a bone fracture to a tumour.

This allows the Best Oncologist in Noida to check for organ damage, bone fractures, and internal bleeding.

How Does a CT Scan Work?

A patient usually lies flat on an exam table to experience the procedure. The table will then move through the CT scan machine as it takes pictures. The scanning method usually takes a few minutes. Some patients may need to drink a contrast material before the scan, either by consuming the substance or receiving it intravenously. The contrast is a dye that emphasizes the examined areas so doctors can see them more clearly.

Although CT scans are a simple, painless method, an oncologist in Delhi aims to perform the scan fast. 

What Is a PET Scan?

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a form of nuclear medication imaging. A PET scan uses a small amount of radioactive material called a radiotracer, a camera, and a computer to produce images of the inside of your body. A PET scan shows a doctor how your cells and body parts work.

PET scans are most generally used to detect or monitor cancer. 

How Does a PET Scan Work?

During a PET scan process, Dr. Manish Singhal, the best cancer doctor in Delhi, will inject a small amount of the radioactive tracer into a patient’s vein, usually on the inside of an elbow. After the injection, the tracer will move through the body and collect in tissues and organs. Tracers will manage tumors, inflamed spots, or cancer cells for doctors to see.

After the tracer is soaked, the patient will move to an exam table that slides into a scanner. The PET scanner will notice the tracer and turn the data into 3-D images on a computer monitor. 

What Is the Difference Between a CT and PET Scan?

Possibly the main difference between CT and PET scans is their priority. A CT scan makes a detailed non-moving image of organs, bones, and tissues. A PET scan, on the other hand, delivers doctors how the tissues in your body work on a cellular level. Other differences include:

• They use different materials: CT scans pass x-rays through the body to produce images. A PET scan uses a radioactive material that radiates energy. The energy is then detected by a particular camera to take pictures.
• A PET scan is more time-consuming: A CT scan is completed in minutes. This makes it a perfect tool for doctors to act fast in emergencies. A PET scan could take 20 minutes to several hours, depending on a patient’s infection. In some cases, the process may be performed over several days.
• Radiation does not stay in the body with a CT scan: After a CT scan, no radiation stays in the body. Conversely, a small quantity of radiation may remain in the body for a short time after a PET scan.
• PET scans detect cancer earlier than other tests: Unlike other imaging formats, a PET scan shows molecular activity and helps doctors specify conditions in the earliest stages. CT scans show symptoms of a problem after a situation changes the form of tissues or organs. For this reason, a PET scan is a favorably reliable tool for detecting cancer.

How Are PET and CT Scans Similar?

According to the Best Oncologist in Delhi, CT and PET scans focus on different human body elements and use unique materials, but they still share a lot in common. 

• Both are usually served at an outpatient facility and do not require a hospital stay.
• Both can be utilized to detect cancer.
• Both are correct, painless, and noninvasive methods.
• Both destroy the need for experimental surgery.

Most significantly, both imaging tests help doctors analyze the cause of a patient’s symptoms. This allows doctors to treat their patients and help them enjoy healthy lives.

Schedule Your Appointment Today –

You may feel a little nervous about the procedure if your doctor has ordered a CT or a PET scan. Any medical imaging method can cause complicated feelings before and after the test. Dr. Manish Singhal

The best cancer doctor in Delhi wants to make the experience as pleasing and stress-free as possible.

We have the best technology to meet your imaging requirements. Contact us today to know more about our services or plan an appointment.