The Hospital of Central Connecticut's 64-slice PET-CT scanner combines two state-of-the-art technologies into one high-speed machine.
This helps us to diagnose and stage different conditions and diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease; aids in treatment planning; and gauges treatment progress.
PET-CT scans show precise anatomic and metabolic activity, providing quick results and shorter testing times. PET and CT test result images may be combined or used separately.
PET Scanner
The PET scanner detects chemical activities in the body that can show heart, brain and nervous system conditions, as well as cancer. Before the test, a patient is injected with a sugar-like substance, which will light up areas of unusual activity. The PET scanner detects and records this energy and converts it into images, which a radiologist then interprets.
64-Slice CT (Computed Tomography) Scanner
The 64-slice CT scanner provides X-ray images that are translated into many 3-D views or "slices" of body structures, including bone and soft tissue. A patient may receive a contrast dye and/or drink to increase visibility of the study area. Common scans are for the head, low back, abdomen and pelvis.
Novalis
Patients who will be treated with the Novalis® radiosurgery system for tumor or cancer treatment will receive either a PET-CT scan or CT scan before Novalis treatment. Novalis uses precision radiation and speed to treat tumors without surgical incisions, pain or blood loss.
PET-CT results help ensure Novalis treatment accuracy.
Before Treatment with Novalis:
- Lung cancer patients will first have a PET-CT scan.
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Patients with a brain or spinal tumor or prostate cancer will have a CT study
(brain and spinal tumor patients also have an MRI).
Before these scans, prostate and lung cancer patients will have tiny gold seeds permanently implanted within the respective study area to ensure radiation precision.