 Radiology
For
high-tech diagnostic radiology, the hospital (inpatient), 509/474-3330,
and Inland
Imaging at Sacred Heart (outpatient), 509/474-4455, use the
latest equipment. Services include three-dimensional tomography,
CT; magnetic resonance imaging, MRI; nuclear medicine; pediatric
radiology; ultrasound; and a breast diagnostic center. Mobile
mammography travels around the region to worksites, community
centers, clinics and women's groups.
PET
(Positron Emission Tomography)
A powerful
tool for the diagnosis of cancer, heart disease and neurological
disorders is a service offered at Sacred Heart Medical Center. It
is called PET: positron emission tomography.
The
Power of PET
A
powerful tool for the diagnosis of cancer, heart disease and neurological
disorders is a service offered Sacred Heart Medical Center. It is
called PET: positron emission tomography.
The
equipment, which looks very similar to a computerized tomography
(CT) scanner with a donut-shaped gantry, travels in a coach and
is located on the Sacred Heart campus adjacent to the Radiology
Department for two days every week.
PET
scanning, developed in the 1970s, is considered a powerful tool
for these reasons:
- PET
shows whether a lesion is benign or malignant because it "looks
at" the metabolic function of a cancer.
- It
is recognized as the preferred tool for diagnosing cancer in its
very earliest stages. It can be used to evaluate the extent of
cancerous tissue and plan appropriate treatment.
- If
PET identifies a malignant lesion, the whole body--in one image--can
be viewed to search for areas where the cancer may have spread.
- Following
cancer treatment, one PET scan can reveal if treatment has worked
and pinpoint, at an early stage, any recurrence.
- PET
can be used to reveal coronary artery disease, visualizing blood
flow to the heart.
- Brain
disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases and seizures
have historically been extremely difficult to visualize.
The
way it works
The
patient undergoing a PET scan is injected with a radioactive compound
like glucose (sugar) that is metabolized by the body. A short-lived
radioisotope attached to the compound emits signals as the glucose
is metabolized by the body. As the tracer continues to emit its
signal, the PET reassembles the signals into images.
Tumors absorb the glucose and the resulting metabolic action shows
up as dark or bright spots on the image.
The
procedure is safe, takes about two hours, and has no side effects.
Those undergoing the PET scan can return to normal activity immediately
after. The radiation exposure, is lower than that associated with
conventional (CT) scanning.
The
mobile advantage
The
technology of PET is anticipated to advance dramatically within
the next few years, and the Medical Center believes it is advisable
to have the flexibility of a mobile PET during this rapidly changing
environment.
In
addition, the mobile unit visits Mt. Vernon and Yakima, Washington,
enabling hospitals to share expensive technology.
Sacred
Heart and Inland Imaging radiologists oversee the care of the patient
during the procedure, read and interpret the scan, and report back
to the referring physician.
PET
is powerful
In
the world of diagnostic technology, PET is a powerful tool, "Its
imaging of metabolic activity in diagnosing cancers, heart disease
and brain disorders; its ability to replace sometimes multiple imaging
procedures with only one; its potential for avoiding unnecessary
surgeries because of its accuracy in identifying malignancy and
spread of disease help save costs and save lives."
Links
Radiology
Residency Program at Sacred Heart
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