Mercy Hospital Lebanon: Offering Advanced Pet Scans

Mercy Hospital Lebanon is a community hospital in Lebanon, Missouri, that offers a wide range of healthcare services. The hospital provides acute care, emergency services, and specialized care through centres such as the Curry Cancer Center. Mercy Hospital Lebanon also offers advanced imaging services, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans are a type of advanced imaging technology that combines nuclear medicine and computerized X-rays. This technology is available at Mercy and is commonly used for cancer diagnosis and cardiac health assessments. So, does Mercy Hospital Lebanon offer PET scans?

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)

Mercy Hospital Lebanon is a community hospital that provides high-quality health care delivered by experienced medical professionals. The hospital offers a range of services, including radiology and imaging, to meet the diverse needs of its patients. One such advanced imaging technology offered by Mercy Hospital Lebanon is Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT).

PET/CT scans are most commonly utilised for cancer diagnosis. By using small amounts of radioactive material called radiotracers, the scan can visualise the inside of the body. Before the PET/CT scan, a technologist or nurse inserts an IV to administer the radiotracer. The patient may then be asked to rest for 30 to 90 minutes, allowing the radiotracer to reach the tissues under examination.

During the scan, the patient lies on a flat table that slides through the centre of the PET/CT scanner, which resembles a large donut. The table may be adjusted in height or tilted to capture images from various angles. After the procedure, a Mercy technologist will be available to address any questions or concerns the patient may have. A Mercy radiologist will promptly review the images and communicate the findings to the patient's doctor, typically within a few hours.

One specific application of PET scans is in cardiac imaging, where they are used to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) and assess healthy and damaged heart muscle. PET scans can pinpoint areas of low blood flow in the heart and help identify dead or injured tissue. This information guides clinical decisions, such as recommending additional procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).

Cardiac PET scans are considered safe for most patients due to the low levels of radiation involved. The radiation is naturally eliminated by the body through the kidneys or stool, and drinking plenty of water can expedite this process. However, it is important for patients who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding to consult with their doctor before undergoing this procedure. Additionally, patients taking regular medications, including over-the-counter drugs, should discuss this with their Mercy doctor, as adjustments may be necessary prior to the scan.

Cancer diagnosis

Mercy Hospital Lebanon offers PET/CT scans, which are primarily used to diagnose cancer. PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography, while CT stands for Computed Tomography. This imaging technology combines nuclear medicine and computerized X-rays. The PET scanner shows how cells are functioning (metabolism), and the CT scanner provides detailed anatomical images and locations.

Before the test, a technologist or nurse will insert an IV to administer the radiotracers, which are tiny amounts of radioactive material. The patient may then be required to rest for 30 to 90 minutes to allow the radiotracers to reach the tissues being scanned. The patient lies on a scanner table that slides through the hole in the centre of the PET/CT scanner, which resembles a large donut. The table may be raised, lowered, or tilted to capture images from various angles.

After the procedure, a Mercy technologist will answer any questions, and a radiologist will review the images and report the findings to the patient's doctor within a few hours. PET scans can also be used to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) and examine healthy and damaged heart muscle. They can help doctors find dead or injured tissue and determine if additional procedures, such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), are necessary.

Cardiac PET scans

Mercy Hospital Lebanon is a 58-bed acute-care, general medical/surgical facility that offers a range of services, including comprehensive postpartum care, fertility treatments, and cardiac care.

Cardiac PET (positron emission tomography) scans are one of the diagnostic tools used at Mercy Hospital Lebanon. This non-invasive imaging technique is used to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) and examine healthy and damaged heart muscle. The procedure involves injecting a radioactive tracer, or radiotracer, into the patient's bloodstream. These tracers typically consist of natural compounds found in the body, such as glucose, water, or ammonia, tagged with a tiny amount of radioactive material. The tracers emit gamma rays, which are used to produce multiple images of the heart from various angles. These images are then processed by a computer to create a detailed 3D image of the heart.

The PET scan procedure at Mercy Hospital Lebanon is designed to be comfortable for the patient. The patient lies on a narrow table that slides into a large tunnel-shaped scanner. Electrodes for an ECG are placed on the chest. The patient is instructed to lie still during the scan to ensure clear images. The test typically lasts about 90 minutes, and patients may be asked not to eat anything for 4 to 6 hours beforehand, although drinking water is allowed.

Coronary artery disease detection

Mercy Hospital Lebanon is a community hospital that provides high-quality healthcare delivered by an experienced team of medical professionals. The hospital offers a range of services, including comprehensive postpartum care, fertility treatments, and cancer care at the Curry Cancer Center.

One of the key services provided by Mercy Hospital Lebanon is Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT), an advanced imaging technology that combines nuclear medicine and computerized X-rays. While PET/CT scans are most often used to diagnose cancer, they can also be utilized for cardiac imaging and the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Cardiac PET scans are non-invasive imaging tests that capture detailed images of the heart by using radioactive tracers, known as radionuclides or radiotracers. These tracers are typically composed of natural compounds found in the body, such as glucose, water, or ammonia, and are tagged with a small amount of radioactive material. The tracers emit gamma rays, which are used to produce multiple images of the heart from various angles.

The cardiac PET scan is an effective tool for detecting CAD as it can accurately pinpoint areas of the heart with low blood flow. It provides valuable information about the function and health of the heart muscle, helping doctors determine the presence of diseased or damaged tissue. Additionally, PET scans can assist in deciding if further procedures, such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), are necessary to treat CAD.

The procedure for a cardiac PET scan involves inserting an IV to administer the radiotracer and allowing it to reach the tissues being scanned. The patient lies on a scanner table that slides through the PET/CT scanner, which resembles a large donut. The technologist may adjust the table's position and tilt the scanner to capture images from different angles. After the scan, a radiologist interprets the images and reports the findings to the patient's doctor, who then discusses the results and any necessary treatments.

Radioactive tracers

Positron emission tomography (PET) scans are a form of nuclear imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material called radiotracers to see inside the body. These radiotracers are administered to the patient intravenously. They can also be administered by inhalation, oral ingestion, or direct injection into an organ.

The radioactive tracers used in PET scans are made up of carrier molecules that are bonded to a radioactive atom. These carrier molecules vary depending on the purpose of the scan. For example, doctors may use radiolabelled glucose (FDG) to examine a tumour, as malignant cells metabolise more sugar than normal cells. Other tracers employ molecules that interact with a specific protein or sugar in the body. For instance, doctors can radiolabel a sample of a patient's red blood cells to find the exact source of intestinal bleeding.

After a PET scan, patients should drink plenty of fluids to flush the tracer from their bodies. While the body is exposed to radiation, the risk is limited due to the short half-lives of the radioactive chemicals, which are removed from the body through the kidneys or stool.

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