Download PET Scan- Positron emission tomography, also

PET Scan- Positron emission tomography, also called PET imaging or a
PET scan, is a type of nuclear medicine imaging. Nuclear medicine is a
branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to
diagnose and determine the severity of or treat a variety of diseases. Because
nuclear medicine procedures are able to pinpoint molecular activity within
the body, they offer the potential to identify disease in its earliest stages as
well as a patient’s immediate response to therapeutic interventions.
A PET scan measures important body functions, such as blood flow, oxygen
use, and sugar (glucose) metabolism, to help doctors evaluate how well
organs and tissues are functioning. Most PET scans are performed using
combined PET and CT scanners. The combined PET/CT scans provide
images that pinpoint the location of abnormal metabolic activity within the
body. The combined scans have been shown to provide more accurate
diagnoses than the two scans performed separately.
PET and PET/CT scans are performed to:
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detect cancer.
determine whether a cancer has spread in the body.
assess the effectiveness of a treatment plan, such as cancer
therapy.
determine if a cancer has returned after treatment.
determine blood flow to the heart muscle.
determine the effects of a heart attack, or myocardial infarction,
on areas of the heart.
identify areas of the heart muscle that would benefit from a
procedure such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery
(in combination with a myocardial perfusion scan).
evaluate brain abnormalities, such as tumors, memory disorders
and seizures and other central nervous system disorders.
to map normal human brain and heart function.
The following items may exclude you from having a PET scan: weight over
350 pounds, radiation therapy in the last 2-3 weeks unless outside the area of
interest, uncontrolled diabetes or elevated blood sugar, pregnancy, or
chemotherapy within 2-3 weeks.
Please inform the technologist if you are pregnant. PET scans may not be
performed during pregnancy. Please bring your current home medications or
a list of your medications with you the day of the test. You may be asked to
remove some or all of your clothes and to wear a gown during the test. You
may also be asked to remove jewelry, removable dental hardware, eye
glasses, and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the
images.
Diabetic patients may eat a low carbohydrate meal for supper the night
before and up to 4 hours prior to the test. Please do not eat or take insulin for
4 hours before your scheduled appointment time. You may have water only
during this 4 hour period. Medications may be taken as needed with water
only. Please increase your consumption of water for 24 hrs prior to your test
to ensure hydration. No sugar in any form for 8 hours prior (no candy,
mints, etc.) No strenuous exercise for 12 hours prior to the test. No caffeine
for 24 hours prior to the test.
Non-diabetic patients must be NPO for 6 hours prior to the scheduled
appointment time. You may have water only during this 6 hour period.
Medications may be taken as needed with water only. Please increase your
consumption of water for 24 hrs prior to your test to ensure hydration. No
sugar in any form for 8 hours prior (no candy, mints, etc.) No strenuous
exercise for 12 hours prior to the test. No caffeine for 24 hours prior to
the test.
A nurse or technologist will insert an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in
your hand or arm. You will be injected with a radiopharmaceutical made up
of glucose and a short lived radioisotope. You will rest for 45-60 minutes
while the radioisotope travels through the blood in your body. At the
conclusion of 60 minutes, you will lie on your back on a scanner table. The
scan will take 30-45 minutes. The scanner looks like a CT scanner. The table
will slowly pass through the scanner. The scanner detects signals emitted by
the tracer that was injected into your arm. A computer processes these
signals into images of your body.
PET appointments will last 2-3 hours. The type of test will determine the
exact length of the test. Your images will be read by a Radiologist (a doctor
that reads x-rays) and a report will be sent to your ordering physician in 4872 hrs.