In today’s world, most of the PET scanners available in the industry are PET/CT scanners, which are a notch above the traditional PET scanners used previously.

Taking traditional PET scans a notch higher, PET/CT scans provide physicians with superior clinical data. However, many people often wonder what the difference between the two is. Here is everything you should know about how the two differ from each other.

PET scan vs CT scan

PET and CT scans form the two cores of PET/CT scans, which makes it essential to initially differentiate the two.

What does a PET scan do?

The PET scan detects changes in the body at a cellular level, often catching diseases even before they are anatomically visible. This technology has the ability to differentiate between benign and malignant tumours as well, which is useful when crafting a treatment plan.

What does a CT scan do?

A CT scan shows a 3D image of the anatomy of the body, localizing the organs and tissues. It is also able to detect abnormalities such as tumours and growths in the body.

What is the difference between PET and PET/CT scan?

PET/CT scans are essentially one of the three types of PET scans, which combine the qualities of PET and CT scans. Here are the basic differences between traditional PET and PET/CT scans.

Results

The PET/CT uses radiation from the PET scan, and combines it with anatomical X-rays that create a 3D image, showing the same area from a different perspective

Diagnosing cancer

There have been numerous instances where traditional CT scans have resulted in a false negative or false positive, before getting an accurate diagnosis from a PET/CT scan. A PET/CT is also more accurate in diagnosing the early onset of cancer, so treatment can be sought out before the disease progresses.

Exam Time

PET/CT scanners used advanced technology to detect molecular abnormalities in the organs and tissues. This advanced technology allows for a much faster scan time, rather than the patient having to lie motionless for 45 minutes to an hour in a traditional PET scanner.

Accuracy

To produce a 3D image of the body, CT scans measure the density of tissue, and record them in what are called Hounsfield Units. The PET scan records the radiation emitted from the tissue, and uses the Hounsfield Units to adjust images to the correct density, and produce a much more accurate visualization of the body.

Conditions diagnosed

The biggest advantage of PET/CT scans is that they can be used to diagnose far more conditions than PET scan for cancer. Being able to view functional changes at a cellular level, PET/CTs record structural changes that detect heart ailments, Alzheimer’s, infection, dementia, and more.

Cost

Though it may seem like the PET/CT scan cost may increase due to enhanced results and function, this is actually untrue. Advanced technology also allows for more cost-effective treatments, making the difference in pricing minimal to none.

Knowing how traditional PET scans differ from PET/CT scans ensures that you can make an informed decision when choosing a particular procedure. This helps you benefit from the advancements in the industry.