What is a PET/CT?
Simply put, this is breakthrough technology that enables physicians to diagnose and locate disease. Quickly. And accurately. More technically, PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography and CT means Computed Tomography. This is the first time these two technologies have been combined into a single sophisticated scanning system.

What this means is that PET/CT will

• Increase patient comfort because the examination time is shorter
• Produce results in less time then required by using separate procedures
• Eliminate the "wait and see" approach because accurate, comprehensive information becomes more quickly available to your doctor
• More rapid initiation of the best possible treatment, while potentially avoiding the need for invasive procedures such as biopsies and/or exploratory surgery

Why do you need a PET/CT?
Your PET/CT scan results may have a major impact on your diagnosis of a potential health problem. And, should a disease be detected, the information provided very quickly by this examination will help medical professionals prescribe the best possible course of treatment.

A PET/CT study not only diagnoses specific problems, it also helps physicians predict the likely outcome of various therapeutic alternatives, prescribe the best approach to treatment, and more accurately monitor your progress.

This advanced technology is valued by radiologists, nuclear medicine professionals, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, neurologists, pediatric specialists, and your own physician because of the specific information it provides, including:

• Accurate location of lesions
• Identification of benign versus malignant lesions, and differentiation from scar tissue
• Information to help stage cancer
• Reduction of false positives and false negatives
• Accurate detection of coronary artery disease
• Metabolic brain imaging
• Information to aid in surgical and radiation treatment planning
• Ability to monitor effectiveness of treatment while it is in progress

Please discuss with your doctor what he or she expects to learn from your PET/CT examination.

What happens once I get there?
All scans
After your medical history and the results of any prior examinations are reviewed, you'll receive a radiopharmaceutical injection, which enables the radiologist to interpret the scan results.

The radiopharmaceutical must first distribute itself throughout your body, so there will be—typically—a 30 to 60-minute wait. You may be able to read or listen to music until your scan begins. You may wish to bring your favorite CDs for us to play during your scan.

Brain scan
If you are here for a brain scan, we'll ask you to relax in a quiet, dimly lit room, without stimulating your brain by reading or talking.

Heart scan
If you are scheduled for a heart study, you may not have to wait at all. The radiopharmaceutical used for cardiac exams are often administered jut before the scanning process begins.

What will the scan be like?
You'll lie on a comfortable table that moves slowly through the ring-like PET/CT scanner while it acquires the information needed to generate diagnostic images. We'll ask you to lie very still because movement can interfere with the results.

The scan will take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. You will be comfortable during the examination. Unless the radiologist sees a need for acquiring additional information, you may get ready to leave.

How long does all this take?
Plan on spending two to three hours with us. Your exam procedure will vary depending on what we're looking for, and what we discover along the way. Your experience will not be unpleasant, and our staff will do their utmost to make you comfortable and keep you informed about your progress.

What happens after the examination?
You may leave as soon as the scan is complete. Unless you've received special instructions, you'll be able to eat and drink normally. We recommend that you drink plenty of fluids to help remove any of the radiopharmaceutical that may still be in your system.

In the meantime, we'll begin preparing the results for review by our radiologist. Your physician will discuss your results with you in detail.

Are there risks associated with PET/CT?
A PET/CT study is similar to many other diagnostic procedures from MRI to Nuclear Medicine. Although the radiation you receive is different, it's about equivalent to what you'd receive from a couple of chest X-rays.

The radiopharmaceuticals used in the PET/CT do not remain in your system very long, so there is no reason to avoid interacting with other people once you've left. To be extra safe, wait a few hours before getting too close to an infant, or anyone who is pregnant.

Please consult your physician with any additional questions or concerns.