Hi guys,
Anyone have experience having a PET/CT scan while wearing a Dexcom sensor? It's in my upper arm and my cancer is in my abdomen, so I figure it's not going to be an area they need to monitor. I'm asking here as I know both Dexcom and the hospital will just tell me to take it out...
They made me take mine off my arm for a full body MRI (and I had just started it -- dang!). Don't know about a PET, but they may say the same for a CT.
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There should be no reason to take it out. It contains insignificant amount of metal, which is what could create an artifact - what we call the "beam hardening artifact". I supervise PET/CT at a hospital and never had any problems from Dexcom. The arms are typically raised for the scan and it may not even be in the field of scanning. But even if it is, it will cause no problems. They need to understand that it is >99% plastic. You should take off the receiver, as I am sure you would anyways. You could call the facility and speak with the physician supervisor of the PET/CT to have a clear advance agreement. Do not be shy to ask for the reason if you don't agree with the answer. It is no different from indwelling tunneled central line catheters that they scan every day without removing - no difference. Please let us know how it goes. Good luck!
I have had several CT scans of my abdomen, all while having a dexcom sensor in my arm. My arms totally stayed outside of the 'scanner'. I needed to raise my arms over my head as they slide the table into the scanner.
Last year, I had an MRI, and for that I did remove the sensor, and kept both my pump and dexcom receiver outside of the room with the MRI equipment.
MRI is different as it generates a strong magnetic field that could send the sensor flying like a bullet. It would be reasonable to remove it. PET/CT has no such issues.
Dexcom rep told me that as long as there is no magnet in the PET scanner it will be fine to leave the sensor in place.
The sensor will show up as being present if it's scanned, but will cause no harm if there is no magnet in the scanner. She said the scanner magnets, as in an MRI, are so strong that even though there is only a very small amount of platinum (metal)in the sensor wire it cannot be worn during a MRI as the magnet will attract to it & cause injury.
Dye or xrays wont be bothered by the sensor. Dexcom rep said no problem for airports.
There was a Tu Diabetes post on subject July 20, 2011. And a pretty gd article www.nlm.nih.gov/.../ency/003827.htm about how knowing your blood sugars during a PET will be down right helpful.
Totally ask the department head ahead of time, so you will be most comfortable.
You know, I read a friendly email about how aftermarket, xray techs are taking off the neck guard when they take chest xrays, etc... and that the xray techs are often just leaving the extra guard in a drawer. I had my son for dental xrays & was assured that he didnt need the neck guard as the xray is so pinpointed to his teeth (for braces). I said no I want the neck guard on. Another tech came over & assured me that she also works in another ortho office as well & they do not use the guard. You know, just as the e mail explained the neck guard was actually in a drawer, they put it on & did the xray. The next day the office manager called me & said from now on they will always use the neck guard on patients. All I'm saying is we have to find our own information sometimes, otherwise we just dont know :)
Dont forget to let us know how things went.