Tumours, metastases and sources of long-term infections can now be identified anywhere in the body through their metabolic activity with the advanced imaging capabilities of a combined SPECT, PET and CT scanner at Netcare Milpark Hospital.
According to nuclear medicine specialist Dr Sindy Perumal, the Mediso AnySCAN (PET/SPECT/CT) is one of only three such systems in South Africa.
“Cancers and infections consume a lot of energy, and with the aid of a radiolabelled pharmaceutical, positron emission tomography [PET] and single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT] scans enable us to visualise these in greater detail,” she explains.
| Baseline scans: Fludeoxyglucose-18 (FDG) PET/CT scan images show a patient with lymphoma’s baseline imaging indicating extensive disease above and below the diaphragm. |
| Post-treatment scans: Post-treatment assessment FDG PET/CT scans of the same patient show the complete metabolic response and reduced areas affected by lymphoma. |
| Dr Perumal and Team: The dedicated team operating the Mediso ANYScan at Netcare Milpark Hospital are (left to right) radiographers Lungelo Mngomezulu and Monique Frieslaar, nuclear medicine specialist Dr Sindy Perumal, radiographer Themba Tshabalala and support staff member Devan Padiachy. |
The PET aspect adds to the facility’s existing nuclear medicine offering, enabling imaging that reveals not only what an abnormal structure looks like but also how it functions physiologically.
“A low dose of radioactivity tagged to a pharmaceutical that targets cancer by mimicking the behaviour of glucose is injected into the bloodstream, where it makes its way to the tumour or infection site, which consumes energy more rapidly than healthy tissue.”
“The PET or SPECT scan lights up these areas of unusually high metabolic activity with three-dimensional imaging, and this allows the treating specialists to rotate the image and view the lesion in minute detail wherever it is located within the anatomy from any angle, guiding better precision for treatment interventions,” Dr Perumal says.
“For prostate cancer specifically, we use PSMA, an agent that highlights the cancer and is also able to indicate where it may have spread throughout the body to inform the best treatment options available.”
The three-in-one combined PET, SPECT and computed tomography (CT) scan system mainly serves the needs of Netcare Milpark Hospital and accepts external referrals to assist patients from facilities not equipped with this sophisticated technology.
“Anatomical localisation allows clinicians to pinpoint where abnormalities are. PET is especially useful for cancer staging, re-staging during therapy and follow up to monitor response to treatment.
“The same system also allows us to identify and monitor how the heart is coping with chemotherapy, for example, as well as being beneficial for benign conditions, including thyroid and parathyroid, and even aspects of kidney function.
“We can complete a full body scan for metastases, such as that which may be needed for people diagnosed with melanoma, within 30 minutes. For the PET and SPECT scans, the system has an open and spacious design for patient comfort, and it is only the shorter-duration CT scans that may require the full body to be partially enclosed.
“We can keep talking with the patient being scanned from the control room, which many patients find reassuring, particularly in an unfamiliar setting. We are fortunate to have a really caring team who each contribute to the smooth running of the service for our patients. As so many people come back for monitoring or restaging throughout their treatment journey and beyond, we often have the privilege of getting to know our returning patients,” Dr Perumal says.
Dr Perumal was first attracted to nuclear medicine while doing her community service. “When referring patients from paediatric surgery, I saw the impact this field of medicine had for a young child and the contribution integrating both physiology and anatomy in clinical medicine made to patient management,” she says.
With authorisation, most medical schemes cover these PET/CT scans where indicated if the member is registered on oncology benefits, and the practice assists with facilitating authorisation for procedures performed.
“The real value of this advanced imaging technology is that physicians can target and treat conditions more effectively and efficiently, which ultimately helps improve outcomes,” Dr Perumal concludes.
Ends.
Notes to editors
Experience seamless healthcare access with the Netcare App. Enjoy convenient healthcare anytime, anywhere, with expert medical care at your fingertips. Book appointments, consult with GPs virtually and manage pre-admissions all in one place. From emergency response services with geolocation to seamless admission, discover a new level of care. Download the Netcare App today.
Alternatively, contact Netcare Appointmed on 0860 555 565, Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 to 17:00, to make an appointment with a therapist, doctor or specialist practising at a Netcare hospital, Netcare Medicross or Netcare Akeso facility near you.
For media enquiries, please contact MNA at the contact details listed below:
Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare Milpark Hospital
For media enquiries contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster, Clementine Forsthofer or Natasha Burger
Telephone: 011 469 3016
Email: [email protected]