Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

What is PET/CT?
Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET/CT) is the joining of a PET scanner and a CT scanner as one medical imaging system. 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. PET allows the imager to acquire images sequentially from both modalities to produce a truly fused image. The fusing of CT and PET provides an anatomically accurate image (CT) with the metabolic overlay (PET) allowing the physician to visualize subtle disease for prompt treatment. This technology has advanced the treatment of cancer and the accuracy of planning.

Why do I need this Exam?
PET/CT exam results can have a major impact on your physician's diagnosis. This exam not only helps to diagnose disease, but also determines the spread of disease. It helps your physician plan therapeutic alternatives and determine the best approach to treatment. PET/CT is an excellent tool to monitor treatment progress, which offers valuable information towards your therapeutic needs.

• PET/CT scans have the ability to merge anatomic and physiologic patient images
• PET/CT is used to diagnose and stage many cancers
• PET/CT scans can help diagnose many causes of dementia, for example, Alzheimer’s
• PET/CT helps medical providers determine whether surgery may be necessary
• PET/CT identifies the location of tumors and determines if a tumor is malignant or benign
• PET/CT evaluates the effectiveness of cancer therapy and determines if a malignancy has spread

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 – your blood sugar MUST be lower than 200. Insulin pumps must be off four hours prior to your exam
• You must not eat or drink anything other than water for four hours prior to the exam.
• Do not chew gum, mints or candy on the day of your exam.
• Do not exercise for 24 hours prior to the exam.
• Drink two glasses of water four hours prior to the exam.
• Bring previous CT, MRI or PET films.
• Bring insurance cards and your doctors order if you have it.
• 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.

During the Exam

• The technologist will inject you with a small dose of radiopharmaceutical.
• 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.
• Professionally licensed Nuclear Medicine Technologist and a CT Technologist perform the actual procedure
• 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 actual scan time will vary based on your size and can range from 20 minutes to 40 minutes.

After the Exam

• Patients are asked to stay well hydrated after the exam.
• Radiopharmaceuticals have a short half-life and do not remain in your system a long time.  However, limit exposure times around pregnant individuals and infants within 24 hrs after having your exam 
• A Board Certified Radiologist, with an additional Board Certification in Nuclear Medicine and specialty training in PET/CT, will interpret your study.
• The formal exam results will be sent to your referring healthcare provider, who will in turn discuss the results with you.