Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a type of nuclear medicine used to analyze and measure specific vital bodily functions, including glucose metabolism and blood flow and oxygen use, which can be telling indicators of organ and tissue function. It is also a key diagnostic tool for diagnosing many types of cancers, Alzheimer’s disease as a cause of cognitive impairment, and discovering certain other abnormalities within the body.
Computed Tomography (commonly known as CT or “Cat Scan”) creates images in rapid succession, allowing 2- and 3-dimensional views, or “slices,” of organs and structures, providing excellent anatomic information.
The revolutionary PET/CT scan combines these two key technologies in one of the most complete and advanced diagnostic systems ever created. The PET/CT has proven to pinpoint the anatomic location of abnormal metabolic activity, and provide more accurate diagnoses than the two tests can independently.
The PET/CT scan creates multi-dimensional images that allow for exceptional localization of pre-cancerous, cancerous and certain other diseased cells of the skin, lungs, colon, head and neck, breasts, ovaries, lymph nodes, testicles, thyroid, pancreas and esophagus, even in their earliest stages. PET/CT is also used to localize activity in patients with seizure disorders, evaluate stroke damage, and differentiate Alzheimer’s from other diseases.
When medical treatment is required, PET/CT creates a solid foundation for the fast, accurate planning of targeted therapy. Because the images are digitally stored, they can be instantly shared with your primary care physician, specialist, hospital and/or outpatient center to ensure the most rapid and well-coordinated care.
For the optimum in PET/CT diagnostic services, as well as breast imaging, musculoskeletal radiology, neuroradiology and vascular and interventional radiology, ask your doctor to refer you to Radiology Associates Imaging and discover the difference technology combined with experience can make.