What is PET?
Positron Emission Tomography (P.E.T.) is a medical imaging technology that generates high-resolution images of human physiology. Unlike traditional nuclear medicine that relies on single photon emitting isotopes, PET uses radionuclides (tracers) like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and fluorine, which are the basic elements of (or used as analogs to) biological substances. PET produces images of physiological function such as glucose metabolism. With PET, normal and abnormal biological functions of cells and organs can be determined.
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Instead of detecting changes in the physical size or structure of internal organs, as other imaging technologies do, the PET scan assesses and measures changes in cellular function. The figure on the left shows cancer diagnosed by a PET scan while the figure on the right shows successful results of treatment initiated due to the PET scan diagnosis.
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What can I expect during the exam?
The PET scan procedure involves the injection of a glucose tracer. These tracers journey through the body and collect in cells with increased metabolism. All cells use glucose, however, diseased cells, such as cancerous cells, use it faster than healthy cells. The PET scanner produces images of the diseased tissues that have absorbed the glucose tracer.
PET scanning begins approximately 40-60 minutes after the injection. You will be asked to lie comfortably on the PET scan table and to remain very still in order to obtain the best quality images. The bed of the PET scanner will move slowly through the circular opening of the camera.
The imaging process should be completely pain free and may last anywhere from 15 to 120 minutes. Please be prepared, however, to spend two to three hours at our facility from the moment you arrive until you are ready to leave. You may leave as soon as the scan is complete.
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How do I prepare for this exam?
