Pet Scans: Are They Available At Salem Hospital?

Salem Regional Medical Center is an independent, private, not-for-profit hospital that offers the latest in medical imaging technology, including the next-generation 3D PET/CT scanner. This advanced scanner combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with Computed Tomography (CT) to produce highly detailed 3D images, aiding in the early detection and treatment of cancers. Patients preparing for a PET CT metabolic scan at Salem Hospital are advised to follow a low-carb, high-protein diet for 12 to 24 hours beforehand, with no food or medication allowed four hours prior to the test.

Salem Regional Medical Center offers 3D PET/CT scans

Salem Regional Medical Center (SRMC) is an independent, private, not-for-profit hospital that offers the latest in medical imaging technology with its next-generation 3D PET/CT scanner. This advanced scanner combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with Computed Tomography (CT) to create highly detailed 3D images, aiding in the early detection and precise monitoring of cancers.

As a comprehensive imaging centre, SRMC has been recognised for its high standards of imaging quality and safety, achieving the prestigious Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center accreditation. This testament to their excellence has been further emphasised by the Siemens Corporation, which has chosen SRMC as a national showcase site for its top-tier 3D PET/CT scanner.

The 3D PET/CT scanner at SRMC offers unparalleled speed and image quality, providing the clearest visuals in the shortest amount of time. This efficiency also extends to patient safety, as the scanner achieves these exceptional results with only half the dose of radiation typically required. This reduction in radiation exposure is a significant advantage, minimising potential risks for patients.

In addition to cancer diagnosis and treatment, SRMC employs its advanced imaging capabilities to offer a 3-D Virtual CT Colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. This innovative procedure provides an alternative to traditional colonoscopy, eliminating the need for rigorous colon preparation and anaesthesia, making it a more comfortable and convenient option for patients.

The centre also offers a low-cost, low-dose CT lung cancer screening programme, specifically targeting current and former heavy smokers. This initiative aims to reduce the risk of lung cancer-related deaths, which is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, by facilitating early detection.

Salem Regional Medical Center's adoption of cutting-edge imaging technology, such as the 3D PET/CT scanner, underscores its commitment to providing the latest advancements in healthcare to its patients. By utilising these innovative tools, SRMC enhances its ability to diagnose, treat, and manage various medical conditions, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

The scan combines Positron Emission Tomography with Computed Tomography

Salem Regional Medical Center offers the latest 3D PET/CT scanner, which combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with Computed Tomography (CT). This innovative technology provides detailed 3D images, aiding in the detection and diagnosis of small cancers anywhere in the body. The PET/CT scan is highly beneficial for cancer patients as it can monitor treatment progress and identify cancer recurrence.

The PET/CT scanner is an advanced medical imaging tool that has been recognised as the gold standard in its field. It offers the fastest scanning speed and the highest image quality in the nation. This technology significantly reduces the time and radiation dose required for the procedure, benefiting patients by minimising their exposure to radiation.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a powerful diagnostic tool that uses a small amount of radioactive substance, known as a radiotracer, to detect metabolic changes in the body. This technique allows doctors to identify diseases in their earliest stages, particularly cancer, by revealing how organs and tissues are functioning. The radiotracer emits positrons, which collide with electrons, producing gamma rays that are detected by the PET scanner to create detailed images.

Computed Tomography (CT), on the other hand, utilises a combination of X-rays and computer processing to generate cross-sectional images of the body. These images provide detailed information about internal structures, aiding in the diagnosis of various medical conditions. CT scans offer high-resolution visuals of bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels, making them invaluable for detecting injuries, bleeding, infections, and tumours.

The combination of PET and CT technologies in the PET/CT scanner offers a comprehensive approach to medical imaging. By merging metabolic information from PET with anatomical details from CT, the scanner provides a more complete picture of the body's internal workings. This integration enables doctors to make more accurate diagnoses and develop tailored treatment plans for their patients.

It helps identify small cancers and their spread in the body

Salem Regional Medical Center offers the latest 3D PET/CT scanner, which combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with Computed Tomography (CT) to generate highly detailed 3D images. This innovative technology helps identify small cancers and their spread anywhere in the body.

The PET/CT scan is a highly effective tool for cancer detection and assessment. The PET scan uses a safe, injectable radioactive tracer that highlights cellular changes in organs and tissues. This tracer is absorbed by cells throughout the body, allowing healthcare providers to examine organ function and cellular activity in real time. Cancer cells, which utilise more energy, absorb more of the tracer and appear brighter on the resulting images. This enables the identification of small cancers and their spread, helping healthcare professionals diagnose and assess cancer effectively.

The combination of PET and CT scans provides a more comprehensive view of the body. The CT scan produces still images of organs and body structures using X-rays, while the PET scan adds functional information by showing how organs are working. By merging these images, healthcare providers can more accurately locate and characterise tumours, assess the effectiveness of cancer treatments, and determine if cancer has returned or spread to other parts of the body.

For instance, Salem Regional Medical Center employs this technology to offer a low-cost, low-dose CT lung cancer screening programme. This programme aims to detect lung cancer early, before it has spread to other areas, by screening current and former heavy smokers who are at a higher risk. The PET/CT scan technology assists in the early detection and characterisation of lung cancer, enabling timely intervention and potentially improving patient outcomes.

The benefits of PET scans in cancer diagnosis and management outweigh the risks associated with radiation exposure. While the procedure involves a small amount of radiation, allergic reactions to the radioactive material are extremely rare. Furthermore, PET scans can detect cellular changes earlier than other imaging techniques, making it a valuable tool for the early identification and management of small cancers.

Patients need to follow a low-carb diet 12-24 hours before the scan

Salem Regional Medical Center offers PET scans to its patients. This service is also known as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and is often combined with Computed Tomography (CT) to create detailed 3D images. This combination of PET and CT helps identify small cancers and their spread anywhere in the body.

To prepare for a PET scan, patients are advised to follow a low-carbohydrate and high-protein diet 12 to 24 hours before the procedure. This means that patients can eat protein-rich foods such as meat, eggs, cheese, tofu, fish, and chicken. They can also consume non-starchy vegetables like salad, broccoli, green beans, asparagus, cabbage, and carrots. However, it is important to avoid bread, cereal, pasta, potatoes, fruit, and milk during this period. For diabetic patients, it is recommended to follow an appropriate diabetic diet within the low-carbohydrate guidelines.

It is important to note that patients should not consume any food within four hours of the PET scan. During this four-hour period, water is the only recommended beverage. If the PET scan appointment is scheduled early in the morning, for example, at 7 a.m., patients are instructed to fast and refrain from taking oral medication. On the other hand, if the appointment is later in the day, patients can eat a light, low-carb meal and take their oral medications, but this should be done at least four hours before the scan.

By following these dietary guidelines before a PET scan, patients can ensure that they are adequately prepared for the procedure. These instructions are provided by qualified professionals at Salem Hospital, such as Denise Cedar, RD, CDE, who specializes in diabetes and nutrition education.

Salem Regional Medical Center is an independent, private, not-for-profit hospital

The hospital has been selected by the Siemens Corporation as a national showcase site for its 3D PET/CT scanner. This state-of-the-art technology combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with Computed Tomography (CT) to produce highly detailed 3D images that can help identify even very small cancers and track their spread anywhere in the body. The 3D PET/CT scanner provides the fastest and highest-quality imaging available, reducing the radiation dose and time required for the procedure by half.

Salem Regional Medical Center also offers other advanced imaging techniques, such as the 3-D Virtual CT Colonoscopy for colon cancer screening and diagnosis, which serves as a more comfortable alternative to traditional colonoscopy. Additionally, the hospital provides low-cost, low-dose CT lung cancer screening to detect lung cancer early and reduce associated death risks, especially for current and former heavy smokers.

The center also houses the Varian VitalBeam linear accelerator at the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, which delivers state-of-the-art radiation therapy to treat various types of cancers. Salem Regional Medical Center is committed to staying at the forefront of medical technology, providing the best possible care, and ensuring patient comfort and safety.

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