ROCKDALE HOSPITAL OFFERS LATEST IN DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING FOR DETECTION OF DISEASES
Rockdale Hospital now offers PET scan services. PET scans are the latest in diagnostic imaging for early detection of diseases like cancer and can often prevent unecessary treatments or procedures.
(PRWEB) July 3, 2002
Conyers, Ga.—Rockdale Hospital‘s Outpatient Diagnostic Center will enhance its imaging capabilities with the addition of a new positron emission technology (PET) system.
A PET scan is the latest in imaging tools used for early and highly accurate detection of cancer and other diseases. PET studies body function at a cellular level, rather than showing radiological images of anatomy or body structure.
Patients are injected with a form of glucose that is distributed throughout the body. The PET scanner tracks and records signals that the glucose emits while a computer reconstructs the signals into whole body images that show where disease is present in the body. Cells in the body rely on glucose as an energy source. When cells require more fuel, such as growing cancer cells, they will metabolize glucose more quickly than other cells. Areas that metabolize the glucose more will then show up on the PET scan images.
For oncology patients, a PET scan determines the exact location and state of cancerous tissue and can sometimes prevent unnecessary surgery, biopsies or treatments.
PET scans can also be used to screen for heart disease and evaluate damage to heart muscle after a heart attack and to show early signs of neurological diseases.
The system provides physicians with information about the bodyÂ’s chemistry, cell function and the exact location of diseases not available with CT scans, MRIs or X-rays. A physicianÂ’s order is required for a scan. PET scans will be available in the Outpatient Diagnostic Center Saturdays from 8 am-4:30 pm beginning July 13.
Rockdale Hospital, the preferred healthcare facility for east-metro Atlanta area, is committed to providing quality, accessible and convenient medical services to the community. The facility offers an array of medical services and a medical staff with more than 300 physicians, representing 35 specialties.
EditorÂ’s and reporterÂ’s note: Interviews with a physician expert or patient are available upon request.
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