January 16, 2016

Getting Your PET-CT at ARA

If you are getting your PET-CT at ARA and want to know more, this video offers a simple explanation.

Transcript

A positron emission tomography or PET scan is very similar to a CT scan and the scanner looks like a large doughnut.

Please do not eat or drink anything other than water prior to your PET scan.

Please wear warm and comfortable clothing and bring with you a list of any medications you are currently taking.

Also please refrain from exercising for 24 hours before your procedure.

This exam begins with an injection of a small amount of radioactive glucose or sugar tracer solution which enables evaluation of glucose metabolism function in your body. This substance localizes to different areas of your body, and depending on changes in tissue metabolism is detected by the PET scanner.

You will be asked to lie comfortably on the imaging table while the scanner detects the concentration of tracer within your body and generates your images. This procedure may begin immediately upon injection, or may begin after an uptake period depending on the type of examination being requested. You may be asked to rest in a quiet room and avoid significant movement or talking which may alter the localization of the tracer.

The PET scan allows doctors to evaluate a variety of diseases anywhere in the body including your heart and brain.

PET scans are most often used to detect cancer, and to examine the effects of cancer therapy. This procedure can also determine whether a growth is cancerous or non cancerous and it evaluates the progression of disease.

The amount of time involved to complete your scan will depend on the type of procedure your physician has requested.