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PEM stands for positron emission mammography, a new and advanced application of positron emission tomography or PET scanning. As compared to whole-body PET scanners, the PEM exam captures localized images of the breast, producing very sharp, detailed images of breast lesions – as small as 1.5 – 2mm, about the width of a grain of rice.
Ultrasound imaging of the breast produces a picture of the internal structures of the breast.The primary use of breast ultrasound today is to help diagnose breast abnormalities detected by a physician during a physical exam (such as a lump or bloody or spontaneous clear nipple discharge) and to characterize potential abnormalities seen on mammography or breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Ultrasound imaging can help to determine if an abnormality is solid (which may be a non-cancerous lump of tissue or a cancerous tumor) or fluid-filled (such as a benign cyst) or both cystic and solid. Ultrasound can also help show additional features of the abnormal area.
As you can see from this information, the PEM scan is most accurate at helping a physician know the size of a tumor.
Maryann
October 26, 2011 - 4:21pmThis Comment