What are the advantages and disadvantages of a PET scan?
PET Advantages: the small movements don’t ruin the scans and PET has been used for diagnosis of many diseases Disadvantages: The image isn’t shown as clearly as it would in an fMRI scan. Also, the radioactive isotope given is only safe for the first couple of times it is used. PET scans can also be expensive. fMRI Advantages: fMRI scans can resolve down to 3 cubic millimetres and are getting even stronger Disadvantages: any tiny movement can ruin the images. MRI Advantages: MRI contains no ionizing radiation. There are no documented significant side effects of the magnetic fields and radio waves used on the human body to date. The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance rarely occur. Unlike CT, it does not expose the patient to the hazards of ionizing radiation. Disadvantages: you may have to sit still for up to an hour and some patients feel claustrophobic when they have their head in the machine. Also it is very nois
