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 Positron
Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography, or PET/CT, is a powerful,
new, diagnostic test that allows radiologists a unique view of your
body’s biological functions. Perhaps you previously have had
an x-ray or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). These diagnostic tests
look at your body’s structure and provide important information
about your body’s anatomy. The PET/CT scan is different in
that it looks at your body’s metabolic activity and provides
unique information about your body’s tissue. PET/CT scans
can be done on the brain, various parts of the body, or the entire
body.
Virtually all
diseases alter the body’s biochemical processes. PET/CT is
often able to discover these changes before any other medical tests
turn positive. PET/CT can show positive findings in many cases even
when no symptoms are present, and is of significant value in detecting
certain cancers, neurological conditions and cardiac diseases. By
comparing normal and abnormal tissue metabolism, PET/CT scanning
provides your doctor with unique information that could help determine
the diagnosis and the most effective treatment plan for you.
Glucose is the most important carbohydrate formed by the body during
digestion and is used to help nourish the body’s cells. Scientists
know that normal and abnormal cells utilize glucose differently.
PET/CT allows radiologists to view this uptake of glucose and make
important determinations about the presence or absence of disease.
This observation is made possible by injecting patients with a positron-emitting
isotope in a glucose compound (FDG or F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose).
In simplest terms, this radio-labeled sugar molecule disperses throughout
the body and emits signals that are imaged by the PET/CT scanner.
A computer measures these signals and provides 3-D images mapping
out the metabolic processes within the anatomical structures being
observed.
The radio-labeled glucose (FDG) administered intravenously has not
been reported to produce any side-effects. Since the isotope does
result in a relatively small amount of radiation exposure, you should
notify the scheduler or technologist in advance of your appointment
if you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant.
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