#VIVID EMISSION SPECTRA DEFINITION HOW TO#

MRI scans use magnetic fields and radio frequency pulses to create images of internal structures such as organs, soft tissues, and bone.On its own, a CT scan uses special X-ray equipment to produce pictures of the inside of the body.In this case, the tests are performed at the same time. This is often called PET/CT or a PET/MRI scan. Sometimes these tests are used along with PET scans to give doctors a clearer picture of the inside of your body. CT scans and MRIs can only detect changes later, as a disease alters the structure of your organs or tissues.ĭetection of illness at the cellular level gives your doctor the best view of complex systemic diseases, such as: PET scans can detect very early changes in your cells. CT scans and MRIs cannot reveal problems at the cellular level. This is important because diseases often begin at the cellular level. PET scans show metabolic changes occurring at the cellular level in an organ or tissue. How does the PET scan compare to other tests? PET scans are used to help diagnose and manage many CNS disorders, including: When a specialist interprets the scan, they can see how the brain is working and check for any irregularities. By detecting radioactive glucose, the PET scan can show which areas of the brain are using glucose at the highest rates. During PET scans, tracers are “attached” to compounds such as glucose.

#VIVID EMISSION SPECTRA DEFINITION HOW TO#

This information can help you and your doctor decide how to move forward with treatment. This is because healthy heart tissue tends to take in more of the tracer than unhealthy tissue or tissue that has decreased blood flow.ĭifferent colors and degrees of brightness on the scan show different levels of tissue function. PET scans can reveal areas of decreased blood flow in the heart. It’s also common for solid tumors to fail to appear on PET scans. However, these scans should be read carefully and explained by a doctor, as it’s possible for noncancerous conditions to look like cancer on a scan. seeing if a cancer treatment like chemotherapy is working.For this reason, PET scans are useful both for detecting cancer and for: Because of this high level of chemical activity, cancer cells often show up as bright spots on PET scans. brain disorders, including problems with the central nervous system (CNS)Ĭancer cells can have a higher metabolic rate than noncancerous cells.PET scans are most commonly used to detect: PET scans show problems at the cellular level, giving your doctor the best view of complex systemic diseases. Your doctor may order a PET scan to inspect your blood flow, your oxygen intake, or the metabolism of your organs and tissues.

Vivid emission spectra definition