Health is complex — dozens of factors can go into a diagnosis. To help understand how the human body works internally, medical professionals use tools like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans. These scans can give professionals insight into an individual’s blood, brain tissue, organs and bones, helping them spot cancer, neurological disorders and more. Recent research has begun to show how neurological imaging can help point out symptoms related to some mental health conditions, like low brain blood flow. If you’re wondering what a SPECT brain scan is for mental health an ..read more

A computed tomography scan (CT scan) uses a combination of X-ray technology and computer processing to create a detailed cross-section of the human body. X-rays give health care professionals a 2D image, but a CT scan provides a 3D perspective, allowing them to better assess what’s happening internally for a patient. What is the most common reason for a CT scan? Learn about why you might need a CT scan and what you can expect when you get one. What Does a CT Scan Involve? A CT scanning device is a large, open, doughnut-shaped machine. Once you enter the machine, you’ll see an X-ray tube rotat ..read more

For many people, sitting for a medical scan is the easy part — the hard part is waiting for the results. If you find yourself in that situation, you’re not alone. Anxiety over medical scans, sometimes called scan anxiety disorder or “scanxiety,” can create a lot of stress, especially if you have scan anxiety for cancer-related imaging. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to alleviate the worrying and get back to living your life. Understanding Imaging Tests and Their Importance Scanxiety can show up after any kind of imaging test, such as a CT, PET, MRI or X-ray scan. Thes ..read more

Your bone density can decrease as you get older, increasing your risk of developing osteoporosis. A bone density test can help your health care provider determine your bone strength. The results can diagnose osteoporosis or determine your chance of developing this condition. Your doctor can assess your risk of future bone breaks and fractures, then respond with an appropriate care plan. Even if your test results reveal good bone health, they can serve as a baseline measurement for future testing. You may have questions about bone density scans if you’ve never experienced one. What is the mean ..read more

Going in for a cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) scan can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’ve never experienced one before. But worry not — we’re here to provide some insight into the procedure so you know what to expect. Discover how a myocardial viability study works, along with some steps you can take to prepare for the scan. What Is a Viability Scan? A myocardial viability PET scan measures the amount of heart muscle damage after a cardiac condition or injury, such as coronary artery disease or a heart attack. It assesses the heart muscle’s viability and the blood supply to y ..read more

When a patient has bone pain, their doctor might order a bone scan. A nuclear bone scan uses radiotracers, which are small amounts of radioactive substances, to recognize differences in bone metabolism. With the help of these radiotracers and a specialized camera, physicians can diagnose various bone issues, from infections to arthritis. What Is a Nuclear Bone Scan? If you’ve talked to your primary care doctor about continual bone pain or seen an emergency room physician about a potential fracture, you may need a nuclear bone scan. A bone scan requires a few different components, which reveal ..read more

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an essential tool medical professionals use to diagnose different health conditions. Without PET body scans, it would be challenging for doctors to diagnose individuals accurately and provide appropriate care. Below, you’ll learn how PET scans work and what doctors use them for. How Do PET Scans Work? A PET scan measures metabolic activity in the body tissue’s cells. First, a small dose of radioactive glucose, a type of sugar referred to as the radiotracer, is administered intravenously. The PET scanner then takes images of where the gluc ..read more

Dynamic imaging in nuclear medicine is an imaging technique that captures sequential images of physiological processes inside of the body. In simpler terms, dynamic imaging takes images of things like blood flow and shows them on a display processing unit. With dynamic imaging, doctors and nuclear medicine technologists can analyze cellular progression and fluid circulation to diagnose or monitor a broad range of illnesses or conditions. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of dynamic imaging in nuclear medicine. What Is Dynamic Imaging? Dynamic imaging is used in various types of im ..read more

Medical imaging is one of the most critical developments in the history of medicine. Its discovery has led to multiple Nobel Prize achievements. The Nobel Prize was awarded to the founder of radiology in 1895 and the inventors of computerized tomography (CT) scans in 1979. More importantly, it has also improved the lives of countless individuals. Medical imaging improves patient outcomes, helps doctors understand patient conditions better and confers several other benefits. In what follows, you can see some specific medical imaging benefits with patient care in greater detail. Improve Pa ..read more

Difference Between PET & CT Scans A positron emission tomography (PET) scan and computed tomography(CT) scan are imaging techniques to detect medical abnormalities and diagnose a disease or medical condition. Medical professionals use PET and CT scans to gather detailed information to diagnose underlying medical conditions. Learn the difference between a PET scan and a CT scan and their varied applications. What Is the Difference Between a PET Scan and CT Scan? The difference between a CT scan and a PET scan is their applications and what each test can diagnose. Both C ..read more