Today our topic of discussion is Glasgow Coma Scale.
Glasgow Coma Scale
Positron emission tomography (PET) was developed in 1970’s, it is a noninvasive technique that is useful in studying biochemical and physiological function in a living organism such as glucose uptake and metabolism, oxygen uptake and cerebral blood flow pattern.
Definition
- Positron emission tomography scanning is a type of radioactive substance is introduced into the body to assess structure and functions of tissues
- Positron emission tomography is a computer-based nuclear imaging technique that can produce pictures of actual organ functioning.
- The patient either inhales a radioactive gas or is injected with a radioactive substances that emits positively charged particles.
Purpose
- To study heart and brain
- To locate the origin of epileptic activity in the brain
- To detect coronary artery disease
- To assess myocardial viability
- To assess the progress of coronary artery stenosis
- To differentiate ischemia and dilated cardiomyopathy
- To measure cerebral blood flow and cerebral glucose metabolism
- To chart the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, head injury, schizophrenia and manic depressive illness.
Principles of PET
- The technology is based on the use of an online cyclotron (electromagnetic machine) and positron emitting radionuclide is created
- The patient inhales or injected with a compound that has been labeled with a positron emitting nuclide “tag” (often carbon 11) once inside the body, the compound selected concentrates in the area of clinical interest and emits positrons that reacts with electrons producing gamma rays of specific energy
- A special scanners detects the gamma rays and encodes the data into a computer which reconstructs cross- sectional images of the tissue containing the labeled compound.
General Instructions
- Explain the procedure to the patient clearly
- Client is asked to fast 4 hours prior to the scan
- Check the blood sugar if it is below 150 g/dl for diabetic.
Preparation of the Client
- Explain the procedure to the patient
- Check if the client had food within 4 hours prior to the procedure
- Maintain NPO for 6 to 12 hours before the procedure
- Check the blood sugar of the client No glucose solution, intravenous should be used
- Ask the client to empty the bladder prior to the procedure since it is for 2-3 hours.
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