How to interpret PET scan result
Hi - I'm new here. My husband has been diagnosed with MCI in November. We're in the process of trying to understand the changes in his short term memory as well as other symptoms, such anxiety & shallow breathing and emotional breakdowns. It's complicated by the fact that he is being treated for prostate cancer and is on hormone blockers, so there may be cognitive and mood effects that are caused or exacerbated by those medications. His primary care doctor's office referred him for a PET scan and tau protein test (tau results are not back yet) but here is what the PET scan said: Impression: No specific pattern of dementia is identified. FINDINGS: Uniform uptake of FDG is seen throught the supratentorial brain. Specifically, no dementia-associated pattern is identified. Can anyone decode this for me? We won't be seeing any health professionals for almost two weeks and I just don't understand what is being said, or not said.
Hi
, welcome, we're glad you're here!
I found a few articles that may be helpful, and help with questions to bring to his doctor(s):
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3998066/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3097820/
https://www.pockethealth.com/patient-resources/how-read-a-pet-scan-report/
I hope that helps a bit. - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)I think I found all of those articles and even with a science background it is a heavy slog to get through them...
I still just don't understand the comments from the PET scan review. Does it suggest no dementia? Or does it just say they don't see a pattern that aligns with a specific type of disease, such as Alzheimer's? I just don't get how to interpret those comments.impressions from PET scans can be hard to interpret. I can understand your frustration and anxiety with having to wait to talk to the doctor. They are most likely waiting for the tau protein test to come back so they have the whole picture. Since you have access to MyChart or however you are getting the test results, you could wait until the protein test comes back and give a call to the office to see if someone can talk through the results. They may want you to wait till the inperson appointment but I would share your concerns with them. Please keep us posted. Jill (Team Member)
So the tau protein test result is .34, which is labeled as abnormal and "high".
I am glad the results came back quickly. You could call the doctor's office and ask for a phone consult regarding your concerns. They may not be ready to talk with you yet, depending on if they need to speak with your husband's health care team first. I really hope you can get answers sooner than two weeks. Please let us know. Jill (Team Member)
Thank you Jill. We'll be meeting with a NP at the center for Neurosciences here in Tucson next week and the primary care NP the following week. That isn't too far off. And my husband will be getting a full cognitive test in July. I have a feeling I'm going to become a frequent flyer here on the forum in the not too distant future.....
I am glad to hear you have an appointment next week. It sounds like his health team is being very thorough. You are welcome here anytime to share, vent, or for support!! Waiting is tough; try to enjoy some activities or hobbies together to pass the time. Sending you hugs. Jill (Team Member)
