Diagnostic Imaging Services
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PET Scan
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scans view the body’s chemistry, metabolism, and cell function in organs or body tissue that can not be seen through CT, MRI or x-rays, which only show bone and organ structure. These images also help accurately diagnose heart disease and neurological disorders.
Typical Uses for the PET system
PET is already making critical contributions to more cost-effective health assessments. This system can help reduce, or even avoid the cost of ineffective treatments, unnecessary surgical procedures, or unnecessary hospitalization.
- Assist your oncologist to determine if a tumor is cancerous
- Enable your cardiologist to evaluate damage from heart disease
- Detect early signs of neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s or epilepsy
How PET Works
The patient receives an intravenous injection of a radioactive sugar solution known as F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which is attracted, to specific organs, bones or tissues in the body. Cells in the body rely on glucose as an energy source, however, cells of the body that require more fuel (such as rapidly growing cancer) will metabolize glucose at a faster rate than other cells. Once distributed throughout the body, the PET scanner records the distribution of the FDG. The resulting images will show up in areas that are metabolizing more FDG than others.
Is PET Safe?
The FDG (radioactive sugar solution) injection is safe. It lasts only a few hours in the body. A patient receives about the same amount of radiation in this procedure as with a routine x-ray.