Types of Scan What are they?

CT MRI PET (Computed Tomography) (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) (Position Emission Tomography) CT, MRI and PET scans are generally tools to non-invasively/nonsurgical look inside the human body. These scans use the concept that certain things happens to atoms in our bodies when it absorbs energy. - Uses a sophisticated X-ray machine combined with a computer to create a detailed picture of bodys tissue and structure. - Uses special dye called contrast material; injected into the body before the scan (Injected so that makes it easier to see abnormal tissue due to the specific absorption rates) - Measured by the magnetism spinning electrons and protons and their interactions with the nearby atoms (protons) absorbing energy - Uses magnetic field for super-cooled magnets to distinguish between good and bad cells - Contrast agent also used - Measure emission from common positron-emitting molecules (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen) - PET scan shows molecular function and activity but not structure like the CT scan and MRI scan. - Able to differentiate normal and abnormal, live and dead tissues. - PET scans can be 3-D - Normally used as compliment for the CT and MRI scans rather than substitution 1. Epilepsy 2. Alzheimers disease 3. Cancer 4. Heart disease 5. Medical research

General Differences

Detection Area

Advantages

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1. Head: Fracture, tumors, calcifications 2. Lungs: acute ; chronic problems (internal of lungs) 3. Pulmonary angiogram (Pulmonary arteries) 4. Cardiac 5. Abdominal / Pelvic 6. Extremities (Complex fractures joints) Painless non-invasive procedure ; good sensitivity CT superior than MRI in evaluation of skull fractures Provides detailed images of brain nervous tissue Excellent for individuals with brain trauma Detection of stroke at an early stage Diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage Cheaper than MRI and equally fast Newer generation of CT combines angiography and access the blood supply to the brain

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Brains Spine Musculoskeletal System Entire Body Vascular System

1. Do not involve exposure to radiation 2. Can be safely used for people that may be vulnerable to radiation (pregnant women/children) 3. Shows soft tissue structure (useful) ; ligaments, cartilage, organs: brain, heart, eyes 4. Can provide more information : how blood moves through certain organs and blood vessels, allowing problems; blood circulation, blockages identified

1. Small movement dont ruin scans 2. Detection of many diseases

9. Can be performed on patient with implanted medical device 10. CT provides dynamic imaging allowing needle biopsies to be performed simultaneously Disadvantages 1. Unlike MRI, CT has radiation effect (same radiation exposure than individual should get in 12-months) 2. Never be done on pregnant female (danger to fetus) 3. Dye used in CT: Iodine based; causing allergy sometimes; may lead to kidney failure to those with diabetes 4. Cannot be used repeatedly for children 5. Not a very good identifying pathology of soft tissue 6. Not good for identification of inflammation or infection of brain compared to MRI 1. Scanner is costly ; may delay scan on patient as limited scanner 2. People may feel claustrophobic ; loud noise of scanner 3. MRI can be affected by movement ; unsuitable for investigation for problems (ie. mouth tumor) 1. Image not as clear as MRI 2. Very costly 3. PET scan mostly used for research

Prepared by: Brandon Hee PSY105_ScanType_2011