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PET Scan

NUCLEAR MEDICINE SERVICES at AIC

AIC has the valley's most sophisticated nuclear camera.

Q.     Can you tell me more about the new NUCLEAR/SPECT/PET camera at AIC?

A.     The Nuclear scanner at AIC (shown above) is the most sophisticated in the Antelope Valley area. It is a top-of-the-line Siemens state-of-the-art dual-head gamma camera that can perform full range of Nuclear Medicine scans including SPECT scans as well as PET scans.

Q.     What types of Nuclear studies are offered at AIC?

A.     Full nuclear services are offered including bone scans, HIDA scans, V/Q scans, thyroid scans, Indium white cell scans, Gallium scans, brain SPECT, scintilymphangiography, cardiac scans (thallium and Sestamibi SPECT, etc.).

Q.     What is SPECT and what are some of the indications?

A.     SPECT stands for Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography. SPECT is to planar nuclear scanning as CT (CAT scan) is to planar x-rays. SPECT images are tomographic slices through the region of interest. It is more sensitive than planar scanning due to its finer thickness. Multiplanar imaging (coronal, sagittal, axial) is available. SPECT is now the standard technique in cardiac imaging, but has broad applications such as in bone scanning. Images on the right show a coronal CT reformation of the spine demonstrating a sclerotic lesion in T12 and the corresponding coronal SPECT image clearly showing increased activity in T12 (arrows). The planar whole body bone scan (not shown) was negative failing to show the T12 lesion.

Q.     What is a PET scan and what are some of the indications?

A.     PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography. PET imaging uses a glucose analogue agent called F18-Fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose or FDG. In the body, PET is used in oncology to detect malignancy since malignant cells demonstrate higher glucose metabolism. Thus it can differentiate between malignant and benign tumors and between recurrent tumor and scar tissue/radiation changes, etc. In the brain, it can be used for malignancy as well as Seizures/Epilepsy, Alzheimer and other Dementias, Schizophrenia, Depression, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), etc. The images on the right show a reformatted coronal CT image with the corresponding coronal PET image of an unsuspected destructive metastasis to the left upper rib cage (arrows).

Q.     What agent is used in PET imaging?

A.     PET imaging uses a glucose analogue called F18-Fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose or FDG.

Q.     What are some of the indications?

A.     In the body, PET is used in oncology to detect malignancy based on the fact that malignant cells demonstrate higher glucose metabolism. Thus it can differentiate between malignant and benign tumors and between recurrent tumor and scar tissue/radiation changes, radiation necrosis, etc. In the brain, it can be used for malignancy as well as Seizures, Alzheimer, Depression, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), etc.

Q.     Does Medicare pay for PET?

A.     Yes. Medicare currently pays for 5 indications related to oncology applications:

  1. Solitary Pulmonary Nodule (SPN) ... may save the patient a biopsy or surgery.
  2. Staging of lung cancer.
  3. Staging of Lymphoma.
  4. Staging of Melanoma and detection of recurrence.
  5. Recurrent colorectal cancer.

Private insurances pay for more indications including CNS applications. All cases must be preauthorized, however.

AIC's nuclear/PET camera is unsurpassed in the Antelope Valley area.
 

| ScanHealth | Open MRI | High-field MRI | MR Angiography | Helical CT | CT Angiography | Calcium Scoring |
| 4D CT Reconstruction | Dental Scan | 4D Ultrasound | Nuclear Medicine | PET Scan | DEXA Bone Density | X-ray |


Facts about services at AIC

1.     The only community-based, private-practice, physician-operated imaging facility in the Antelope Valley, just like any other private practice medical office.   Not belonging to any hospital or outside imaging network.   This means more personal and caring service.

2.     AIC was the first MRI-accredited site in the Antelope Valley ... approved by the American College of Radiology's MRI Accreditation Committee.

3.     Dr. Ray Hashemi is the only radiologist in the area with fellowship training in ALL aspects of MRI, including neuro and musculoskeletal MRI.

 

Why is AIC the PIONEER in advanced medical imaging in the Antelope Valley?

1.     AIC was the first to introduce a high-quality OPEN MRI (open-air or open-sided MRI) to the Antelope Valley (January 1998).

2.     AIC was the first to introduce Short-bore OPEN High-Field (1.5 Tesla) MRI to the Antelope Valley (January 1999).

3.    AIC was the first to introduce multi-slice CT (MSCT) to the Antelope Valley (August 1999); upgraded to a 16-slice CT in 2003.

4.     AIC was the first to introduce revolutionary 3D Ultrasound to the Antelope Valley (April 1999); upgraded to a GE 4D Ultrasound in 2004.

5.     AIC was the first to introduce a PET scanner to the Antelope Valley (July 1999).

6.     AIC was the first to achieve MRI Accreditation in the Antelope Valley (July 2000).

Call us at one of our three locations: Lancaster (661) 949-8111, Palmdale (661) 456-2020 or Valencia (661) 255-0060

copyright © 2004 ray h. hashemi, m.d., ph.d.