Positron Emission Tomography and Computerized Tomography are both standard imaging tools that allow physicians to pinpoint the location of cancer within the body before making treatment recommendations. It’s the latest in imaging technology at Clearfield Hospital, offered in association with Vantage Mobile Services.
Staff members who oversee the service include, from left, Shelley States, certified nuclear medicine technologist; Christina Belinda, CNMT, nuclear cardiology technologist, registered technologist for radiology and nuclear medicine; and Tammy Stucke, CNMT, NCT, registered technologist for nuclear medicine, nuclear medicine supervisor.
Link: Clearfield Hospital Imaging Department
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CT, or Computed Tomography, has been used for years to image structures of the body. As good as it is, though, it doesn’t always tell the whole story. In some cases, CTs can’t distinguish one type of tissue from another – cancerous versus benign, for example.
Another type of imaging procedure, Positron Emission Tomography, is used to generate images of physiological and biochemical processes in the body. While PET scans are excellent for showing metabolic information, they often lack the high-resolution quality of CT scans and don’t outline anatomical structures well.
The answer? Combine both CT and PET to produce metabolic and anatomical information in a single scan – and that’s what new integrated PET/CT does. It’s the latest in imaging technology at Clearfield Hospital, offered in association with Vantage Mobile Services.
“With the high-tech images a PET/CT provides, our doctors can locate, assess abnormalities and study tissue and organs with more precision than ever before,” stated Audra Sidelinger, imaging director.
Combining the two techniques has great diagnostic benefits, especially for cancer care. PET/CT is a critical tool used to detect cancer early, determining the extent of the disease present and evaluating the results of treatment.
“Patients have a better chance for a good outcome and may avoid unnecessary procedures because of PET/CT imaging. A PET/CT image also detects the recurrence of cancer, revealing tumors that may be obscured due to scar tissue from surgery or radiation therapy,” Mrs. Sidelinger said.
Before the addition of the PET/CT service at Clearfield Hospital, patients had to travel out of town to have this type of imaging done.
“That was an inconvenience for our patients. Offering this service is one of the many ways Clearfield Hospital is providing the latest health care technology to our community,” Mrs. Sidelinger said.
For more information about the PET/CT service at Clearfield Hospital, please contact 1-866-251-0710 or speak with your physician.
Related Links
Imaging (Radiology) Department at Clearfield Hospital
Clearfield Hospital's School of Radiologic Technology
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