| Positron Emission Tomography, or PET, is a popular | | | | detail. |
| procedure performed inthe Nuclear Medicine | | | | Until the past few years PET scanners were only |
| Department. Radiation for this exam comes from the | | | | available in huge medical centers or large teaching |
| injection of a radioactive isotope. This isotope is tagged | | | | facilities because they were so expensive. Also, at |
| with an agent that is different for each exam, as each | | | | that time PET was still considered experimental so |
| organ in the body will enhance differently. The imaging | | | | insurance companies and Medicare did not |
| method measures and records the amount of radio | | | | compensate for the exam. Today PET scanners are |
| isotope within the living tissue. Basically, PET scans | | | | pretty readily available and most exams are |
| supply information regarding the function of organs and | | | | compensated for. |
| tissues. | | | | Currently PET Scanning is used for: |
| PET technology is a vital tool in the staging and | | | | 1) Finding and evaluating stages of Cancer |
| monitoring of cancer patients. It gives Oncologists and | | | | 2) Determining progress of Oncology Treatments |
| Radiologists very important information on the | | | | 3) Checking blood flow to Myocardial Tissues |
| effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. | | | | 4) Evaluate signs and symptoms of coronary artery |
| Today, to provide patients with the most precise | | | | disease |
| diagnostic information the physician may order a PET | | | | 5) Evaluate the Central Nervous System |
| CT scan. The CT scan provides excellent detail of all | | | | Since it's introduction in 1974, PET scanning has |
| anatomy in a 3-D representation without any | | | | improved dramatically. |
| superimposition. The PET scan is not as good with | | | | Today one of the most valuable tools in the diagnosis |
| anatomy, however it can show organ function in great | | | | and treatment of patients is the PET Scan. |