SPECT/CT
Questions and Answers
• What is SPECT/CT?
• What is the difference between
SPECT and CT?
• Why are SPECT and CT used together?
• How does the precedence imaging
system work?
• What kinds of exams are performed
with the precedence system?
• How long will my exam take?
• Will the exam hurt? How soon can I resume
normal activity?
• Will I be alone?
• Do I have to do anything special to prepare
for my exam?
• Who interprets my results?
What is SPECT/CT?
Nuclear medicine studies allow us to visualize how a part of the body is functioning at the metabolic level. Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) is a particularly effective nuclear imaging technique that provides 3D visualization of structures deep within the body. Our Philips Precedence SPECT/CT system allows us to combine SPECT and advanced multi-slice CT (Computed Tomography) images from one non-invasive patient scan for an advanced level of diagnostic confidence and efficiency.
What is the difference between SPECT and CT?
SPECT is a nuclear imaging technique that traces the distribution of an isotope to show actual metabolic activity within the organ or part of the body to be studied. CT passes radiation though your body to help evaluate the differences in tissue density, thereby producing images that capture anatomical, or structural, information.
Why are SPECT and CT used together?
Incorporating CT data with SPECT images allows physicians to better view the location of and changes in tissue. SPECT/CT imaging can help reveal disease states before structural change occurs. This increased diagnostic confidence can help your doctor make more informed decisions about patient care. For instance, a patient may be able to avoid a biopsy or an invasive surgery. SPECT/CT exams also can be very beneficial in helping your physician to accurately monitor the response to treatment for a medical condition.
How does the precedence imaging system work?
A radioactive tracer is injected into the body, and the imaging system's gamma camera, as it is sometimes called, traces the distribution of the tracer through the part of the body to be studied.The radioactive isotope decays, resulting in the emission of gamma rays. These gamma rays are processed by the Precedence system and merged with the images from the CT portion of the scan.
After careful evaluation of the merged SPECT/CT images, the doctor can then recommend treatment options or regimens, in some cases reducing or eliminating the need for more invasive tests or procedures.
What kinds of exams are performed with the precedence system?
Some typical uses of nuclear medicine and SPECT/CT imaging include:
- Cardiology-identifying segments of the heart and blood vessels with decreased or insufficient blood flow. SPECT can show the viability of the heart muscle and assist in evaluating the cause of acute pain to better determine if a patient may be experiencing a heart attack.
- Oncology-supporting the diagnosis of cancer and staging for cancer treatment or evaluating a patient's response to treatment.
- Pulmonary-imaging the lungs to look for or evaluate respiratory and blood-flow function.
- Gastrointestinal-identifying blockages, assessment of liver function and gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Thyroid-detecting an overactive or under active thyroid, thyroid nodules or to assist in therapy planning for thyroid disorders.
- Orthopedics-evaluating metastatic disease or bone pain in cancer patients. SPECT can also be used to identify fractures. A special procedure called 3-phrase scanning can identify osteomyelitis (an inflammatory disease) and stress fractures.
- Brain function-SPECT is emerging in this area, and may be effective for the study of brain function related to mental illness, aberrant behavior and to assess blood flow.
How long will my exam take?
Depending on what type of exam is scheduled, the patient can spend anywhere from 30 minutes up to approximately three hours in the nuclear imaging department. Actual imaging time can range from 15 minutes to approximately one hour. Ask your doctor how long your specific procedure will take.
Will the exam hurt? How soon can I resume normal activity?
There should be very little discomfort if any during your exam. There may be minor, very temporary discomfort associated with the injection of the tracer. Exams are non-invasive and you should be able to resume normal activity immediately afterward.
Will I be alone?
No. You will be able to see and speak with your technologist.
Do I have to do anything special to prepare for my exam?
Sometimes there are dietary restrictions, such as refraining from beverages, caffeine and non-caffeine, for 12 hours prior to the test.When the exam is scheduled, instructions will be provided if you are taking medications.
Depending on the type of study, fasting may be required. For diabetic patients, your exam should be scheduled two to four hours after breakfast or at the advice of your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, diabetic, or have any allergies prior to the exam. And, ask your doctor for specific instructions prior to your exam.
Who interprets my results?
A physician with specialized training in nuclear medicine usually interprets the images and forwards a report to your physician.
- June 2007
The content on this site is intended to be used for educational purposes only ...
