1. What is PET CT ?
             2. What do I need to do to prepare for the exam?
             3. What will happen during the procedure?
             4. What do I need to do after the exam?

 What is PET CT?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computerized Tomography (CT) combined are both unique imaging technologies that allow physicians to diagnose and treat many diseases, particularly cancer. A non-invasive test, PET accurately images metabolic information in the body and the CT scan provides a detailed picture of the internal anatomy in a single scan. PET gives information about the body's chemistry that is not available through other imaging procedures. PET reveals met static disease other imaging techniques simply can’t detect.
Because changes in metabolism occur before anatomical changes become apparent, PET provides your doctor with life-saving insight.
This advantage can eliminate the need for unnecessary surgeries or treatments. Each imaging test has particular benefits and limitations, but when PET and CT are combined, the image provides comprehensive diagnostic information on disease location and metabolism. In the past, PET and CT images were performed independently, laid side by side and compared. Recent advances have now allowed us to combine both technologies into one scanner.
Common Applications
PET/CT has emerged as an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and brain disorders. PET/CT helps to diagnose cancer and guides physicians to the most beneficial therapies.

It is commonly used to:

• Stage cancer

• Measure the effectiveness of cancer treatments

• Evaluate whether a tumor is benign or malignant

• Diagnose early dementia and brain disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease

• Differentiate recurrent brain tumor from radiation necrosis

• Localize sources for intractable seizures.

What do I need to do to prepare for the exam?

Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes avoiding zippers, belts and buttons.
Do not perform any strenuous physical activity 24 hours prior to the exam.
Plan to spend 1.5-2 hours at our facility.
Bring the prescription/order from your doctor for the test as well as your insurance information.
Also, bring any previous related MRI, CT , PET/CT or X-RAY films or other diagnostic reports.

What will happen during the procedure?

A PET/CT scan is a painless procedure with no side effects. It is a safe procedure.
One of our Nuclear Medicine technologists will meet you soon after you arrive. They will explain all of the events that are about to take place and the approximate time involved in each part of the exam. We will ask you questions pertaining to your overall health and the reason why your physician ordered a PET/CT scan. Your medical history and past imaging records will provide the radiologist who will interpret your study with very important information.

After the technologist has taken your history, he or she will give you an IV injection of a special sugar visible to the scanner, which distributes throughout the body.

After you have had your injection, you will need to remain as still as possible..

About 45-60 minutes after the injection, you will lie still on the scanner table for the remainder of the test. , the scanning phase will begin. The CT scan is performed first and takes just seconds to complete. This is followed by the PET scan which takes approximately 25-45 minutes.

What do I need to do after the exam?

You may resume your normal activity. If your prior studies are available for the radiologist to compare with your new procedure, your physician will receive a report within 24- 48 hours of the exam. The actual results of your exam will be given to you by your doctor who will compare your test results against his or her own clinical findings to provide you with a clear picture of your overall health.