Will a human parasite show up on a PET scan?
On One Hand: PET Scans Do Not Reveal Human ParasitesHuman parasites will not show up on a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan because this type of scan measures only elevated metabolic activity, according to SNM Molecular Imaging Center. PET scans are effective for diagnosing cancer recurrence, neurological diseases and cardiovascular damage, but parasites do not produce changes that would appear on such a scan.On the Other: Diagnosis by Other MeansTo diagnose parasites, laboratory experts examine either a blood or a fecal sample, depending on the type of parasite the doctor suspects. Evidence of parasites includes the appearance of cysts in ink-stained blood smears and the presence of worm segments or eggs in fecal samples, according to Des Moines Area Community College.Bottom LineWhile the PET scan is an excellent tool for diagnosing cancer and some other diseases, it is not effective for detecting human parasites.
