To assist in the management and treatment of lung cancer by staging lesions and following the progress of lesions after treatment. White Marsh. PET scans can be done on an outpatient basis. It is also possible that some hospital inpatients may undergo a PET examination for certain conditions. Although each facility may have specific protocols in place, generally, a PET scan procedure follows this process:. The patient will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the scan.
Certain types of scans of the abdomen or pelvis may require that a urinary catheter be inserted into the bladder to drain urine during the procedure. In some cases, an initial scan may be performed prior to the injection of the radionuclide, depending on the type of study being done. The patient will be positioned on a padded table inside the scanner. The radionuclide will be injected into the IV.
The radionuclide will be allowed to concentrate in the organ or tissue for about 30 to 60 minutes. The patient will remain in the facility during this time. The patient will not be hazardous to other people, as the radionuclide emits less radiation than a standard X-ray.
After the radionuclide has been absorbed for the appropriate length of time, the scan will begin. The scanner will move slowly over the body part being studied.
When the scan has been completed, the IV line will be removed. If a urinary catheter has been inserted, it will be removed. Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. How does PET work? Why is PET performed? More specific reasons for PET scans include, but are not limited to, the following: To diagnose dementias conditions that involve deterioration of mental function , such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as other neurological conditions such as: Parkinson's disease.
The two images CT and PET images can be viewed separately, or one may be overlaid on top of the other. This technique is particularly useful for cancers in body parts that have many different tissues close together, such as the neck and pelvis. It helps precisely locate the cancer and can detect early recurrences. However, standard scanners of the past often overlooked small lesions because of motion caused by the respiratory cycle, the beating heart, or patient movement.
These scanners also have respiratory gating capabilities, adding detail and clarity to areas that are subject to motion, such as the heart and lungs. During this procedure, the patient will first receive a radiopharmaceutical injection, which takes about 60 to 90 minutes to distribute itself throughout the body. The patient then lies on a table that moves slowly through a ring-like scanner as it acquires the information it needs to generate PET and CT images.
The patient should not feel anything during the scan, which can last from 15 to 60 minutes. The motion-free platform of the scanner allows physicians to accurately identify multiple small lesions in areas affected by movement. The physician can review these detailed images after the scan is completed.
In addition, the scanner has software that memorizes and overlays lesions so differences can be detected from appointment to appointment. Because radionuclides used in PET give off radiation for only a short time, PET can be done only if the radionuclide is produced at a nearby location and can be obtained quickly.
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Common Health Topics. Procedure for PET. Uses of PET. This PET image shows an area of reduced blood flow from one of the arteries that feeds the heart. This information may help doctors decide whether to suggest bypass surgery or angioplasty to restore that blood flow.
PET scans can reveal areas of decreased blood flow in the heart. This information can help you and your doctor decide, for example, whether you might benefit from a procedure to open clogged heart arteries angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.
A PET scan can compare a normal brain left with one affected by Alzheimer's disease right. The loss of red color with an increase in yellow, blue and green colors shows areas of decreased metabolic activity in the brain due to Alzheimer's disease.
PET scans can be used to evaluate certain brain disorders, such as tumors, Alzheimer's disease and seizures. For your PET scan, a radioactive drug tracer will be injected into a vein.
Because the amount of radiation you're exposed to in the tracer is small, the risk of negative effects from the radiation is low. But the tracer might:. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of a PET scan. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your scan. A general rule is to avoid strenuous exercise for a couple of days before the study and to stop eating four hours before the scan.
From start to finish, the procedure takes about two hours to complete and typically does not require an overnight hospital stay. When you arrive for your scan, you may be asked to:.
A member of your health care team injects the radioactive drug tracer into a vein in your arm or hand. You may briefly feel a cold sensation moving up your arm. You rest and remain silent in a reclining chair for 30 to 60 minutes while the tracer is absorbed by your body. When you are ready, you lie on a narrow, padded table that slides into the part of the scanner that looks like a doughnut hole. During the scan you must be very still so that the images aren't blurred.
The machine makes buzzing and clicking sounds. The test is painless. If you're afraid of enclosed spaces, you may feel some anxiety while in the scanner. Be sure to tell the nurse or technologist about any anxiety causing you discomfort.
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