PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography and refers to a type of nuclear medicine exam. Nuclear medicine is a unique method of imaging that is used to painlessly diagnose, determine the severity of, and treat diseases. This form of imaging is known for its ability to detect diseases in their earliest stages, often before symptoms occur or other imaging methods reveal issues. (For more information about nuclear medicine, click here)
A PET scan’s primary purpose is revealing the function of your organs and tissues by capturing cellular activity. In order to reveal the cellular activity, a PET scan is done with a small amount of radiotracer that is injected, inhaled, or swallowed, before the exam. (To learn more about radiotracers, click here) PET scans can be performed alone or with a CT or MRI to provide a unique perspective.
A PET/CT Scan combines the two tests, PET and CT, into one exam, in order to produce unique images that will allow the radiologist to detect diseases and abnormalities before many other tests can see them and to evaluate a preexisting condition.
A PET/CT can measure body functions such as:
- Blood flow
- Oxygen use
- Sugar metabolism
What is PET/CT used for?
A PET/CT scan can be used to detect and evaluate many diseases or conditions, some of which include:
Cancer
- Detecting new or recurring cancer
- Checking the effectiveness of current treatmen
- Determining whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body
Brain disease
- Locating or evaluating tumors
- Evaluating Memory disorders
Heart disease
- Reveal areas of decreased blood flow in the heart
- Show areas of the heard that were damaged following a heart attack
Is this a risky exam?
The PET/CT scan is NOT a dangerous procedure and should not be a cause for concern. There is a very small chance that you could experience an allergic reaction to the radiotracers, however, this is very unlikely.
Please let us know if you are or could be pregnant or are breastfeeding prior to your exam.