What is Role of PET scan in COPD: Uses, Preparation, Procedure and Cost

Role of PET scan in COPD: Uses, Preparation, Procedure & Cost

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is a chronic progressive disorder affecting the airways and lung parenchyma. COPD usually progress slowly and with time it becomes harder to breathe.

What is COPD?

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is a chronic progressive disorder affecting the airways and lung parenchyma. COPD usually progresses slowly and with time it becomes harder to breathe.

COPD includes:

Bronchial Asthma
Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchiolitis.

COPD is not completely curable but it can be prevented and symptoms can be controlled with medications.

What Are the Symptoms of COPD?

COPD may present with various symptoms or signs that depend upon its sub-types, stage and severity of disease and includes:

Dyspnea or shortness of breath
Pursed-lip breathing
Chronic productive or non-productive cough
Wheezing
Tightness of chest
Fatigue
Weakness
Lethargy
Anorexia
Weight loss
Air trapping in lungs
Increased frequency of viral and bacterial infections
Acute exacerbations of symptoms that may last for several days.

What Are the Uses of PET Scan in COPD?

PET scan is used for the assessment and evaluation of metabolic and biochemical properties of tissues or organ. It is indicated for the following purpose in COPD:

To know the underlying mechanism of disease
To evaluate the molecular changes
To quantify disease
To know the extent the of inflammation
To know the stage of COPD
To measure disease activity
To check regional lung perfusion
To evaluate the severity of disease.

How to Prepare for PET Scan in COPD?

Follow these steps if you are going for a PET scan:

Get an appointment: Schedule your appointment in a diagnostic center having the facility of PET scan as it is available in limited centers. Prior appointment also saves your time by avoiding waiting at the time of scan.
Fasting: 6-7 hours fasting is required before PET test.
Caffeine: For 24-hours before the scan, avoid caffeinated products.
Medications: Certain drugs may alter test results. Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements that you are currently taking.
Clothing: Wear clothes as comfortable as possible and that are easy to put on and off.
Exercise: Don’t perform any strenuous exercise for 24-hours prior to your test.
Smoking and tobacco: On the day of your scan, don’t smoke or chew tobacco products as nicotine present in these substances causes vasoconstriction and may alter the test results.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tell your doctor about pregnancy if you are pregnant or if you breastfeed your baby so that your doctor can evaluate the risk vs benefit ratio.
Allergy: Inform your Clinician about prior history of allergy to any drug or medications.
Medical reports: Don’t forget to carry all relevant medical reports along with you while going for PET scan. These reports may aid in better evaluation of your condition.
Implants: Inform your doctor about any implant in your body such as cardiac implant, inner ear implants, metallic dentures, neurostimulators or any type of hearing aids etc.
Claustrophobia and anxiety: If you have claustrophobia or anxiety disorder then don’t hesitate to tell your doctor. He may give you sedative or some alternatives to help overcome this while performing test.
Take a company: Get accompanied by a friend or family member to have mental, emotional and physical support and to drive you home.

What Is the Procedure for PET Scan in COPD?

The procedure of PET scan includes the following steps:

Written consent is required before the procedure begins.
You will be asked to change your clothes and wear a gown provided by the technician assisting the procedure.
You will be asked to remove all the metallic elements like jewellery, hearing aids, metallic hair clips, metallic underwired bras, wallets, keys, coins, cards containing metallic strips, belts, goggles etc.
An intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical agent usually FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is given to you.
You will be then asked to sit quietly for about an hour to allow the radiotracer agent to get distributed to your body tissues and organs via bloodstream. The radioactive agent gets accumulated in areas of high metabolic activity such as inflammatory regions of lung in case of COPD.
If PET-CT is being scheduled then you may get another intravenous injection of a contrast agent which yield high clarity images on CT scan.
You may be provided with head phones or ear plugs to make you feel more comfortable.
If you have Claustrophobia or anxiety disorder, then you may be given sedatives or some other alternatives to make you feel comfortable during the scan.
Before scan, your assisting Doctor will explain about all the possible adverse effects of using radiopharmaceutical or contrast material such as itching, rash, swelling etc. Your KFT report will be required to rule out any kidney disease/pathology and to check your GFR.
Then you will be asked to lie supine on the examination table which will slide and place you inside the scanner.
You need to lie still during the procedure as body movements may interfere with the quality of images produced.
Your Radiologist will take several images to evaluate the underlying pathology and at the end these images will be interpreted for making a definite diagnosis.

What Happens After PET Scan?

Once the imaging is over you may be allowed to exit the scanner room and asked to wait in the observation room for some time, to check for any possible side effect of radioactive or contrast agent being used. You should drink water to clear out the radiotracer or contrast agent from your body.

Cost of PET Scan for COPD in Delhi?

Price of PET scan generally varies with city and location. Various diagnostic and imaging centers charges differently according to the quality of machines they provide and the offers currently availing in them. PET scan charges also vary with the body part which need to be examined and the type of PET scan.

PET scan test is an advanced diagnostic and monitoring tool that is available at limited diagnostic centers as it requires costly and modern equipments and skilled Radiologists to perform the scan.

To choose the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Delhi.

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is now offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan test.

Various PET scan prices at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC)are as following:

For more details, click here!

To avail free consultation with Pathologist. Click here!

To avail free consultation with Radiologist. Click here!

Best Diagnostic Center for PET Scan?

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is considered as the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Rohini, Delhi. We have many branches in different locations of Delhi including Hari Nagar, Yamuna Vihar, Nangloi, Derawal Nagar and Mangol puri.

We are having the facility of different types of PET scan including:

FDG-PET Scan

F-18 Choline PET Scan

Whole Body PET Scan

Brain PET Scan

PSMA PET Scan For Prostate

Dopa Brain PET Scan

PET Viability Scan Cardiac

Cardiac PET Scan

DOTA PET SCAN

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center is a NABH and NABL accredited top diagnostic center situated in ROHINI and various other locations of Delhi. It is equipped with modern, highly expensive machines with latest cutting-edge technologies and highly skilled Radiologists and Pathologists.

Currently, we are offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan. We are open 24X7 and 365 days. You can also get free online or offline Consultation with our Senior Radiologist, Dr. Ravin Sharma regarding any imaging and scanning test.

We also offer facilities of online reporting, free home sample collection and free Ambulance services in Delhi, NCR.

For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or call us now!

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FAQs Related to PET Scan in COPD:

How much time taken during PET scan for COPD?

The whole procedure of PET scan takes approximately 2 hours. Up to 60 minutes are required to begin the scanning procedure after giving an intravenous radioactive agent. However, the actual process of PET scan takes approx. 30-40 minutes.

Also, it may last longer depending upon the severity of your illness and associated co-morbid conditions.

How much time it takes for PET scan report?

You will get reports the next day. However, you can get the image films on the same day if required by your doctor.

Risks/Side effects of PET scan in COPD?

PET scan is a safe procedure. The radioactivity in the radioactive drug is very low, also it doesn’t stay for longtime in your body. Drinking water can flush the radioactive agent faster from your body.

However, some risks/side effects about PET scan are as following:

Allergic reactions to the radiotracer or contrast agent, although rare but can happen in some individuals. However, these allergic reactions are usually mild.
Diabetic patients have low levels of insulin (help in transport of glucose across cells). Insulin deficiency may lead to low absorption of FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) which may alter test results. So, inform your doctor before test.
Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid certain medications and test for the safety of baby. Ask your doctor before undergoing PET scan.