What is PET?
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a powerful imaging technique that holds great promise in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, particularly cancer. A non-invasive test, PET accurately images the biological function of the human body. In a single scan, your physician can examine your entire body. PET provides a more complete picture, making it easier for your doctor to diagnose problems, determine the extent of disease, prescribe treatment, and track progress.
Why do I need PET?
PET gives information about the body that is not available with other imaging techniques. Unlike X-rays, CT scans, or MRI, which show the body structure, PET reveals biological function, providing your doctor with potentially life-saving insight. Because changes in metabolism occur before anatomical changes are apparent, PET often reveals illnesses much ealier than coventional diagnostic procedures. This may eliminate the need for ineffective or unnecessary surgeries, treatments or other diagnostic tests. It will often significantly reduce medical costs, patient discomfort, and potential complications.
About the scan
You will receive an intravenous injection of a radioactive tracer and will rest quietly for approximately 60 minutes while the tracer is distributed throughout your body. You will then be asked to lie on a table that passes slowly through the scanner.
It is very important to remain as still as possible during the exam and to breathe normally, unless told otherwise. You may be required to keep your arms above your head during the exam.
The PET scan will take approximately 15 minutes as the bed moves slowly through the scanner opening. The PET scanner detects signals from the radioactive tracer as it travels through the body and is eventually used by various organs. Although tissues in the body normally process this tracer, diseased cells will process this tracer more rapidly than healthy body tissues. It is this increase that is captured by the PET scan and determines if there are any areas of concern.
After your PET scan, the images are interpreted by a trained radiologist. Results are reported to your referring physician usually within 24 hours.
- Preparing for your scan
Do not eat or drink anything except water for 6 hours before your test. This includes chewing gum, cough drops, and breath mints. Avoid sugars for 24 hours prior to the test.
- Wear warm comfortable clothing.
- Allow 3 hours for your visit.
- Take any prescribed medication unless instructed otherwise with water only. No insulin or oral diabetic medications for 6 hours prior to PET scan. For afternoon appointments have a light breakfast before 7:00 am. Foods you can eat 6 hours prior to your exam should consist of protein (eggs, bacon, cheese) and vegetables only. No coffee, fruit, bread items, sugar, juice.
- Notify your physician if you are pregnant, breast feeding or are diabetic.
You must contact the PET/CT department directly at 640-4550 to review your specific instructions by no later than noon the day prior or the exam will be rescheduled.
- Common Uses of PET
Oncology
Determine benign from malignant tumors in suspicious areas
- Survey the whole body for cancer that may have spread
- Monitor success of therapy
- Detect recurrent tumors
- Assess tumor aggressiveness
Cardiology
- Determine what heart tissue is still alive following a suspected heart attack
Predict success of angioplasty (balloon) or bypass surgery
Neurology
- Dementia – detect signs indicative of Alzheimer’s and other dementia
- Epilepsy - determine the precise location for surgery
- Parkinson’s – assist physicians in the diagnosis of movement disorders
Click here to view the PET/CT web video
