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Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a remarkable diagnosic procedure that produces images of the body's biological functions. PET produces pictures of the
actual biological functions of the human body unobtainable by other imaging techniques.
These images show body metabolism in 3-D format. Other imaging procedures, such as CT or
MRI, are limited to showing the structures of the body.
As a nuclear medicine technique, PET involves a combination of biochemistry
and technology. Cells in the body rely on glucose as an energy source, and typically, cells
of the body that require more fuel (such as actively growing cancer) will metabolize glucose
at a faster rate than other cells. A radioactive form of glucose called FDG is injected into,
and distributed throughout, the patient's body. The PET scanner then tracks and records the
signals the FDG emits. A computer reconstructs the signals into whole-body images that show
areas throughout the body where certain diseases are present. Areas that are metabolizing more
FDG than others will show up on the resulting images.
PET scans are used primarily in the fields of oncology, cardiology, neurology
and psychiatry to show various disease states. PET is used to diagnosis and stage many cancers,
Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases, and to screen for heart disease and evaluate damage
from heart attacks. Because PET scans produce pictures of the body's chemistry, many diseases
can be detected with PET, often at their earliest stages.
Some procedures require patient preparation.
Click here for Patient Preparation Instructions.
Locations for PET
Imaging
PET Imaging is available at Roper Lowcountry PET Imaging Center
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