What is a PET/CT Scan?

  • A PET/CT scan helps your physician diagnose a problem, determine the best approach to treatment or monitor your progress in a non-invasive way.

  • PET/CT is the most advanced medical imaging technique available today, combining Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with Computed Tomography (CT).

  • PET/CT's combination of the fine structural detail of CT with PET's ability to detect changes in cell function identifies both the presence of disease and its precise location in one scan. This combination allows for earlier and more accurate detection of disease than either CT or PET alone.

How do PET/CT Scans Work?

  • PET/CT scans work by utilizing a small amount of a special form of medication called a radiopharmaceutical, which emits particles called positrons.

  • The medication is injected into the body.

  • The medication accumulates in targeted areas of disease.

  • The PET/CT scanner detects where positrons are being emitted from within a patient which allows for the detection of diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease.

WeatherMap.png