POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a remarkable non-invasive diagnostic tool that gives your doctor the ability to visualize how organs and structures in the body are functioning. Instead of detecting changes in the physical size or structure of internal organs, as other imaging technologies do (X-ray, CT, MRI), PET detects changes in cellular function—demonstrating how cells are utilizing nutrients like sugar and oxygen. Since these functional changes may take place before physical changes occur, PET can often provide information that enables your physician to make an earlier diagnosis of the disease or abnormalities. If these diseases or abnormalities have already been detected by an imaging exam, such as a CT or MRI study, PET can often characterize the cellular function early in the coarse of the disease.

PET capabilities can initiate the best possible treatment, while often avoiding more invasive exams or exploratory surgery.

PREPRATION AND SPECIAL INSTRUCTION

Instructions will be given to you at the time of scheduling, whether by our office or by your physician. For most PET procedures, you will be asked to take in only water for 4-6 hours prior to your appointment. Consuming any substance other than water may interfere with the results of your exam. Avoid exercise and unnecessary physical activity on the day of your appointment.

WHAT TO EXPECT

PET appointments may take two hours for completion. This includes the time to prepare for the scan and time for the scan itself. The exam requires you to wait for a period of time in a quiet, dimly lit room to avoid stimulation.

When you arrive, you’ll complete paperwork, and your technologist will explain your procedure. You will receive an injection of a radiopharmaceutical. You will rest for a short period of time while the agent circulates throughout your body. Next, the technologist will position you on the scanner bed, and the scanning will begin. Depending on the type of scan, you will be in the scanner from 20 to 45 minutes.

You may leave as soon as the scan is complete. If you normally drive, you should have no trouble driving yourself home. You may need a driver if you have had medication to relieve anxiety. You may resume eating and drinking, unless otherwise instructed differently. Drinking plenty of fluids will help you excrete the radiopharmaceutical from your system.