PET/CT Imaging
Positron emission tomography, also called PET imaging or a PET scan, is a type of nuclear medicine imaging. PET uses small amounts of radioactive materials called radiotracers, a special camera and a computer to help evaluate your organ and tissue functions. By identifying body changes at the cellular level, PET may detect the early onset of disease before it is evident on other imaging tests.
Learn More About PET/CT Imaging
A PET scan is a form of nuclear medicine imaging that uses a very small amount of radioactive tracer to show how your body is functioning at the molecular level. This test is most often used to:
Detect and diagnose many types of cancer
Determine whether cancer has spread
Monitor how well cancer treatments are working
Evaluate certain neurological conditions
Assess heart disease and blood flow
At Radiology Associates, PET images can be combined with computed tomography (CT) images in a process called image fusion (or co-registration). This technique merges the detailed structural information from CT with the molecular activity seen on PET, providing more precise information and helping physicians make highly accurate diagnoses.
PET imaging is noninvasive and, aside from the small intravenous injection of the tracer, generally painless. The scan works by using special radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers, which highlight areas of activity inside the body for doctors to evaluate.
PET imaging procedures are noninvasive and, with the exception of intravenous injections, are usually painless medical test that help physicians diagnose and evaluate medical conditions. These imaging scans use radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers.
For more information on this or other procedures, please visit radiologyinfo.org.
To help us get the most accurate results from your PET scan, please follow these instructions:
Fasting: Do not eat or drink anything except plain water for 4 hours before your exam. This includes candy, gum, and cough syrup.
Medications: Hold diabetic medications for 4 hours prior to your exam.
If you use an insulin pump, set it to the basal setting 4 hours before your scan.
Activity: Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours prior to your exam.
Clothing: The scan room is kept cool (around 66° F). Dressing in warm, comfortable clothing is recommended.
Jewelry: Avoid wearing excessive jewelry around your neck and arms, as these items will need to be removed before the scan.
Your exam will be reviewed by one of our board-certified radiologists, who will interpret the images and generate a detailed report. This report will be sent to your referring physician within five business days. Once finalized, your results will also be available through our online patient portal for your review and reference. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your results, please contact your referring doctor directly.
Except for intravenous injections, most PET/CT procedures are painless and are rarely associated with significant discomfort or side effects.
It is important that you remain still while the images are being recorded. Though PET/CT itself causes no pain, there may be some discomfort from having to remain still or to stay in one particular position during imaging. Unless your physician tells you otherwise, you may resume your normal activities after your PET/CT scan. If any special instructions are necessary, you will be informed by a technologist, nurse or physician before you leave the nuclear medicine department.
PET scans provide unique information that other imaging tests cannot, giving doctors valuable insight into how your body is functioning on a molecular level. PET has been safely used as a diagnostic tool since the early 1990s.
The amount of radioactive tracer used in a PET scan is very small, and there are no known long-term side effects from this low-dose exposure. As with any medical test, the potential risks are carefully weighed against the benefits. Before your scan, our team will explain the procedure, review any significant risks, and give you the opportunity to ask questions.