How PET/CT Scanning Works
While a CT scan provides anatomical detail (size and location of the tumor, mass, etc.), a
PET scan provides metabolic detail (cellular activity of the tumor, mass, etc.). Combined PET/CT is
more accurate than PET and CT alone!
Anatomical: CT scanners send x-rays through the body, which are then measured by detectors in
the CT scanner. A computer algorithm then processes those measurements to produce pictures of
the body's internal structures.
Metabolic: PET images begin with an injection of FDG, an analog of glucose that is tagged to the
radionuclide F18. Metabolically active organs or tumors consume sugar at high rates, and as the
tagged sugar starts to decay, it emits positrons. These positrons then collide with electrons, giving
off gamma rays, and a computer converts the gamma rays into images. These images indicate
metabolic "hot spots," often indicating rapidly growing tumors (because cancerous cells generally
consume more sugar/energy than other organs or tumors).
The entire examination usually takes less than 30 minutes, providing comprehensive diagnostic
information to your health care team very quickly. The PET/CT system provides exceptional image
quality and accuracy of diagnostic information.
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