Difference Between MRI and PET Scan

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans use magnets and radio waves. Both produce still images of organs and body structures. PET scans use a radioactive tracer to show how an organ is functioning in real time. PET scan images can detect cellular changes in organs and tissues earlier than CT and MRI scans.

1. Which is better PET scan or MRI?
2. Do all cancers show up on PET scan?
3. Why would a doctor recommend a PET scan?
4. What does an MRI show that a CAT scan doesn t?
5. What are the disadvantages of a PET scan?
6. What are the side effects of having a PET scan?
7. What are the worst cancers to get?
8. What cancers do not show up on a PET scan?
9. Can PET scans be wrong?
10. Can a PET scan damage your kidneys?
11. How many PET scans are safe per year?
12. Is a PET scan claustrophobic?

Which is better PET scan or MRI?

PET scans can detect very early changes in your cells. CT scans and MRIs can only detect changes later, as a disease alters the structure of your organs or tissues. Detection of illness at the cellular level gives your doctor the best view of complex systemic diseases, such as: coronary artery disease (CAD)

Do all cancers show up on PET scan?

Not all cancers show up on a PET scan. PET scan results are often used with other imaging and lab test results. Other tests are often needed to find out whether an area that collected a lot of radioactive material is non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

Why would a doctor recommend a PET scan?

Your doctor may order a PET scan to inspect your blood flow, your oxygen intake, or the metabolism of your organs and tissues. PET scans show problems at the cellular level, giving your doctor the best view of complex systemic diseases.

What does an MRI show that a CAT scan doesn t?

Where MRI really excels is showing certain diseases that a CT scan cannot detect. Some cancers, such as prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and certain liver cancers, are pretty much invisible or very hard to detect on a CT scan. Metastases to the bone and brain also show up better on an MRI.

What are the disadvantages of a PET scan?

For your PET scan, a radioactive drug (tracer) will be put into your body. Because the amount of radiation you're exposed to is small, the risk of negative effects from it is low. But the tracer might: Cause a major allergic reaction, in rare instances.

What are the side effects of having a PET scan?

If undergoing a combination PET-CT scan, the iodine-based contrast dye used for the CT component can cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headache, itching, flushing, and mild rash. In rare cases, a serious, all-body allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis may occur.

What are the worst cancers to get?

Top 5 Deadliest Cancers

• Prostate Cancer.
• Pancreatic Cancer.
• Breast Cancer.
• Colorectal Cancer.
• Lung Cancer.

What cancers do not show up on a PET scan?

On the other hand, tumors with low glycolytic activity such as adenomas, bronchioloalveolar carcinomas, carcinoid tumors, low grade lymphomas and small sized tumors have revealed false negative findings on PET scan.

Can PET scans be wrong?

FDG is not only a cancer specific imaging agent, false positive results may be observed with benign diseases. False positive results are commonly observed in areas of active inflammation or infection (Gupta et al., 20000), with a reported false positive rate of 13% and false negative rate of 9% (Alavi et al., 2002).

Can a PET scan damage your kidneys?

The radioactive tracer used for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning does not have any harmful effects for the kidney.

How many PET scans are safe per year?

"With the CMS requirement that there be no more than three PET/CT scans covered after the first line of treatment, that's looking at it in a depersonalized way that may be harmful to patients on an individualized basis," Copeland says.

Is a PET scan claustrophobic?

Medical procedures such as MRIs, PET scans and CT scans are frequent sources of claustrophobia. These types of tests enclose individuals in small quarters to obtain imaging for diagnostic and treatment purposes.