What is a PET/CT Scan?
Positron Emission Tomography or PET was developed nearly 30 years ago for research purposes and is
now recognized as a powerful diagnostic tool in the fields of Oncology,
Neurology and Cardiology.
PET is often
referred to as ‘functional imaging’ and is an imaging technique that is
different than conventional radiology exams, such as: X-Ray, CT,
Ultrasound or MRI. PET images contain information about tissue
function and can provide important information that can affect the
diagnosis and management of many diseases.
The combination
of PET and CT – hybrid or fusion imaging – provides remarkable accuracy.
PET/CT is a powerful diagnostic
tool that is having a significant impact on the diagnosis and
treatment of many prevalent diseases and has been shown to be
superior to PET alone. The ability to visualize human function
with structure has had a dramatic impact on the way medical
providers diagnose and
manage patients.
PET/CT applications will continue to expand due to ongoing
research in the fields of Oncology, Neurology and Cardiac
abnormalities. The PENRAD PET/CT Center is a fixed site facility
and is not a mobile unit.
How Does PET/CT Work?
You can expect to be in the PET/CT center for approximately 2 - 3 hours. You
will be asked to lie on a table that resembles a CT scanner with a larger
opening. The table slowly moves in and out of the opening.
To begin the
procedure, you will be injected with a simple glucose (sugar) compound to
which a small amount of radioactive tracer is attached. Although glucose is
used by normal cells in the body, cancer cells tend to use more glucose than
normal tissue.
The radiation exposure associated with PET is similar to that
associated with a conventional CT scan.
After the injection you will wait
approximately 60 to 90 minutes while the glucose is distributed throughout
your body. This compound will collect in the various organs and tissues. The
scanner records signals which are emitted by the glucose tracer after it
collects in the organs. The PET computer turns the signals into actual
images which are then fused with the anatomic images acquired by the CT
scan.
Oncology
PET/CT is most beneficial in evaluating patients with known or
suspected cancer. The new PET/CT systems have been shown to be highly
accurate in the diagnosis, staging and restaging of cancer, and in
monitoring the effects of therapy. PET/CT has become the standard of
care for oncology imaging.
PET/CT is used in Oncology to:
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Identify the location of tumors |
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Determine if a tumor is malignant or benign |
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Evaluate the effectiveness of cancer therapy |
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Determine if a malignancy has spread |
Neurology
PET/CT can identify numerous neurological abnormalities in the brain
from Alzheimer’s disease to stroke evaluation to epilepsy. The ability
of the PET/CT scan to aid in diagnosis at the onset of certain
neurological disease courses can aid a physician in
providing early treatment. PET/CT can also detect lesions in the brain
that were not previously seen.
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Evaluate dementia; e.g. – Pick’s disease, Alzheimer’s vs.
vascular dementia |
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Localize seizure focus in patients with seizure disorders |
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Evaluate extent of stroke and recovery following therapy |
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Image malignant brain tumors |
Cardiology
Heart disease is the number one killer of American men and women
today and cardiac PET applications will continue to expand due to
increased research.
PET/CT is used in Cardiology to:
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Identify coronary artery disease; measure blood circulation
in the arteries of the heart |
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Determine if the heart muscle is alive or dead |
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Determine the benefits of a cardiac transplantation |
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The PET/CT Scan is a
powerful and exciting diagnostic imaging tool.
- Douglas R. Shaeffer, MD Director of PET/CT
and Nuclear Medicine
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Exam Preparation
Tell us if you think that you might be pregnant, or if you are a nursing
mother.
Tell us if you are diabetic – special instructions will be necessary.
You will be asked to bring previous CT, MRI or PET films.
You must not eat or drink anything other than water for six hours prior to
the exam.
Do not exercise for 24 hours prior to the exam.
Drink two glasses of water one hour prior to the exam .
Wear comfortable, warm clothing (e.g. sweatshirt & sweatpants), without
zippers or any metal parts.
Wear your hearing aid, glasses or dentures.
Take any prescribed medications on the day of your test unless you are
instructed not to do so.
Avoid all beverages with caffeine and sugar, including coffee and soda.
During the Exam
After the injection you will wait approximately 60 to 90 minutes
while the glucose is distributed throughout your body. This compound
will collect in the various organs and tissues.
When the scan begins, you will be asked to lie still on the table
while the images are acquired.
The technologist will check on you during your exam.
The scanner records signals which are emitted by the glucose tracer
after it collects in the organs.
The PET computer turns the signals into actual images which are then
fused with the anatomic images acquired by the CT scan.
The actual scan time will vary based on your size and can range from
20 minutes to 40 minutes.
After the Exam
A Board Certified Radiologist, with an additional Board Certification in
Nuclear Medicine and specialty training in PET/CT, will interpret your study
and provide a formal report for your permanent medical record.
The formal exam results will be sent to your referring healthcare
provider, who will in turn discuss the results with you.
At that
time, your healthcare provider may recommend further testing, or
suggest a treatment plan for your condition.
Further Information
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