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 Radiology
Associates was first to introduce both PET and more recently PET/CT
(Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) scanning to Fort
Worth and the midcities. The dedicated PET/CT scanners at Radiology
Associates of Tarrant County are more accurate than conventional
PET and CT scans performed separately. The PET/CT scanners in Arlington
and in Fort Worth represent the most advanced 16 slice PET/CT technology
available, with the fusion of fast multidetector 16 slice spiral
CT scanners with state-of-the-art PET scanners.
The significant
advantages of PET/CT over PET merit some discussion. A PET/CT scanner
is a very special scanner which is designed from the ground up as
a combined modality scanner. In other words, a dedicated PET/CT
scanner is truly one scanner which incorporates both PET and CT
technology into a single unit. PET/CT scanners are actually twice
as expensive as standard PET scanners because of the sophisticated
technology required to create these amazing machines.
It is possible
to have a PET scan on a standard PET scanner and then have a CT
scan performed on a separate machine. The two scans can then be
electronically fused to produce something that resembles a PET/CT
scan. The problem with such techniques is that the body position
can never be precisely duplicated on both scanners and the resulting
overlay of images is not very accurate. Even if it were possible
to place the patient in almost the same position on both scanners,
the body would still have variations in shape and alignment that
would limit the precision of PET and CT image overlay. This is why
there is so much excitement in the medical community over the dedicated
PET/CT scanners. With these scanners, the patient undergoes both
PET and CT with no change in body position. When the patient reclines
on the scanner table, the patient will undergo both PET and CT imaging
without any change in body position whatsoever. The metabolic images
from the PET scan can now be precisely superimposed on the anatomic
images of the CT scan to provide extremely precise localization
and correlation of findings.
Why is it so
critical to have this high degree of accuracy when superimposing
or fusing PET and CT images? The reason is that when variations
in metabolic activity are identified one has to know precisely which
structures are showing either increased or decreased activity. For
example, it might be completely normal to have increased glucose
metabolism in a small muscle of the neck, whereas the same degree
of increased glucose metabolism in a lymph node located a few millimeters
away may indicate tumor or other disease. There are countless examples
throughout the body where the precision of PET/CT can mean the difference
between an incorrect diagnosis and a correct diagnosis. PET/CT significantly
increases our accuracy over PET and CT performed separately. This
translates into more confident diagnosis of disease and more accurate
staging of disease. This in turn enables your doctor to make better
treatment decisions which may result in better outcomes for you
and your health.
Radiology Associates
has more experience in PET and PET/CT than any other provider in
Tarrant County. We were the first to offer these powerful new technologies
to our community and continue to lead the educational efforts in
this field. Some additional resources we make available to our patients
and colleagues include:
- An educational
patient video/CD (virtual tour) describing a PET/CT procedure
- A Primer
on PET and PET/CT for doctors by Paul B. Shyn, MD (on CD)
- A dedicated
website for physicians and for patients
- Educational
brochures and information in English and in Spanish
PET/CT is particularly valuable in the detection and staging of
breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, lymphoma, melanoma,
head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, and thyroid cancer. Improved
diagnosis means better treatment decisions and better outcomes.
PET/CT can localize
seizure foci in the brain and can evaluate the heart for coronary
artery disease. PET/CT is useful in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
disease and other medical conditions.
Radiology Associates
brought PET to Tarrant County in November of 2000 and remains the
clear leader with PET/CT imaging. Our PET/CT scanners are the best
and latest technologies available. Our team of PET/CT radiologists
have extensive experience in PET/CT and related imaging technologies
such as CT and MRI.
What are the
benefits of Radiology Associates PET/CT Professional Services?
- Substantially
improved diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of
PET/CT over PET
- Shorter
patient exam time (20-30 min.) one half the time of a standard
PET exam
- Improved
localization for invasive and surgical procedures
- Improved
contrast/spatial resolution provided by the CT component of the
scan
- RATC has
the most experienced PET/CT radiologists in Tarrant County
- Our PET/CT
technologists are highly skilled and attentive to patient comfort
- PET/CT is
available through Radiology Associates at no additional cost over
standard PET
- All PET
studies at Radiology Associates are performed on dedicated PET/CT
scanners.
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