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Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that assists in the diagnosis and management of many diseases. Unlike CT or MRI, which look at anatomy or body form, PET studies metabolic activity or body function. As a result, positron emission scans can detect tumors in lymph nodes, for example, even before they enlarge and are detectable with MRI or CT. PET has been used primarily for oncology, cardiology, neurology.

In PET imaging, the patient receives a small intravenous injection of a radio-active medication (a form of sugar). Because the medication used in a PET scan is short-lived, the amount of radiation exposure the patient receives is about the same as from two chestX-RAYs. The images show areas of abnormal metabolism, helping to detect tumors and other diseases that are often not detectable by other means.

The patient lies on a table that slides into the middle of the scanner. Within the scanner are rings of detectors containing special crystals that help produce the detailed images of the body.

When Is PET Used?

Positron Emission Tomography (Or Positron Emission Scans) is used most commonly for the detection and staging of cancer, and is also occasionally used to evaluate heart and brain diseases. How accurate is PET? PET is very accurate in showing the spread of many malignant tumors. For example, it is more accurate in detecting the spread of lung cancer and colon cancer than any other imaging method. A high degree of accuracy has also been demonstrated in evaluating recurrent breast cancer, melanoma, lymphoma, ovarian cancer, brain cancer, pancreatic cancer and tumors of the head and neck.

A key element of any PET scan is the comparison of PET images with other cross-sectional images such as Multi-slice Spiral CT or MRI. A major advantage of PET at IHS is that these other imaging procedures are all available at the same facility, and a Board Certified radiologist can compare these various imaging examinations using IHS's leading computerized medical imaging technologies.

Uses for P.E.T. in Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer

  • Initial tumor staging
  • Determine response to therapy
  • Diagnosis of postoperative recurrence
  • Determine best location for biopsy
  • Differentiate successfully treated tumor from new tumor
  • Uses for P.E.T. in Brain Imaging
  • Detection of Alzheimer's Disease and other causes of Dementia
  • Brain tumor imaging to help detect recurrent or residual tumor after treatment
  • Epilepsy
  • Assessment of viable areas for experimental tissue transplantation in Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease

Uses for P.E.T. in evaluation of Myocardial (Heart) Imaging

  • Helping distinguish viable heart muscle from infarcted tissue
  • Indentifying ischemic heart disease

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