SPECT-CT
The most common uses of SPECT-CT at our hospital are:
Bone scintigraphy, a method used to assess whether the cancer has spread to the bones. In some cases, the method may also be used to monitor response to treatment in cancer with bone metastases.
Sentinel lymph node evaluation. Sentinel lymph nodes are the lymph nodes that first filter the lymph drained from the tumour area and in which the first tumour metastases are formed. Any sentinel lymph nodes detected are removed and examined during surgery. If they are clean, excision of other lymph nodes in the area is not required and a smaller operation is sufficient. If, on the other hand, cancer cells are detected in the lymph nodes, all the lymph nodes in the area are usually removed. This procedure is included in the preoperative diagnostic assessments of patients with breast cancer.
An assessment of cardiac ejection fraction, in which tin compounds are injected into the patient’s bloodstream and taken up by red blood cells. A radioactive isotope is then administered intravenously. It binds with the tin compound, thus tagging the red blood cells. At the same time, the patient’s heart rate is monitored with electrodes attached to the skin. This makes it possible to gain information on left ventricular function, which must be monitored in conjunction with many cancer treatments.
The Siemens Symbia T2 SPECT-CT device can be used for a number of purposes. The gamma camera makes it possible to monitor the accumulation and distribution of the radioisotope in the body. These so-called planar scans are often combined with SPECT imaging to generate three-dimensional images of the area in focus using camera rotation. The images may also be combined with CT images taken during the same scanning session.
Treatments >>
Bone scintigraphy, a method used to assess whether the cancer has spread to the bones. In some cases, the method may also be used to monitor response to treatment in cancer with bone metastases.
Sentinel lymph node evaluation. Sentinel lymph nodes are the lymph nodes that first filter the lymph drained from the tumour area and in which the first tumour metastases are formed. Any sentinel lymph nodes detected are removed and examined during surgery. If they are clean, excision of other lymph nodes in the area is not required and a smaller operation is sufficient. If, on the other hand, cancer cells are detected in the lymph nodes, all the lymph nodes in the area are usually removed. This procedure is included in the preoperative diagnostic assessments of patients with breast cancer.
An assessment of cardiac ejection fraction, in which tin compounds are injected into the patient’s bloodstream and taken up by red blood cells. A radioactive isotope is then administered intravenously. It binds with the tin compound, thus tagging the red blood cells. At the same time, the patient’s heart rate is monitored with electrodes attached to the skin. This makes it possible to gain information on left ventricular function, which must be monitored in conjunction with many cancer treatments.
The Siemens Symbia T2 SPECT-CT device can be used for a number of purposes. The gamma camera makes it possible to monitor the accumulation and distribution of the radioisotope in the body. These so-called planar scans are often combined with SPECT imaging to generate three-dimensional images of the area in focus using camera rotation. The images may also be combined with CT images taken during the same scanning session.
Treatments >>