P.E.T. is the acronym for Positron Emission Tomography. Developed 25 years ago, this remarkable technology is now considered essential in the evaluation of cancer, myocardial viability, and various neurological disorders.
Cardiac P.E.T Perfusion: “A New Type of Cardiac Stress Test”
This exciting new technology is performed at only a few imaging centers in the country. The basic principle is the labeling of biologically important molecules, such as glucose, with a trace amount of radioactivity. Once administered to a patient, these radioactive tracers concentrate at sites of of healthy heart muscle. If the heart muscle is scarred from a previous heart attack, the scarred or dead heart muscle tissue will not pick up the radioactive tracer. P.E.T stress perfusion is an exciting new addition to this technology where an additional medication is then given to see if the living heart muscle is getting adequate blood flow (this is referred to as “perfusion”). If the tests shows inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle, this is referred to as “ ischemia” which is a sign of a blocked artery. The test is done with the patient supine on the table of the GE 64 Slice CT/PET scanner, the medications are injected in an intravenous in the arm, and the PET scanner records the images.
Advantages over other types of stress tests: The test is ideal for those who are unable to exercise on a treadmill since the test is done with the patient relaxing on the table. The test is especially helpful in overweight patients, because due to the nature of the radioactive tracer, it can readily penetrate dense body tissue to give precise images.
“Combined 64 Slice CT Angiogram and PET Perfusion Scan”
P.E.T Imaging for cancer screening and detection:
The basic principle is the labeling of biologically important molecules, such as glucose, with a trace amount of radioactivity. Once administered to a patient, these radioactive tracers concentrate at sites of malignancy. The overwhelming majority of tumors preferentially concentrate these tracers in much higher amounts as compared to normal tissues. Sophisticated P.E.T. scanners and computers allow images to locate sites of malignancy -- often weeks to months before they become apparent on standard radiographs, including CT and MRI.
P.E.T. has demonstrated efficacy in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of therapy in most malignancies. It is safe, cost-effective, and extremely accurate. In addition to cancer, P.E.T. is valuable in the determination of myocardial viability and assessing certain neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and seizure foci.
How is a P.E.T. Scan Performed?
Preparation
• NPO for six hours (medications and water are okay)
• Comfortable, warm clothing (no undressing necessary)
• Bring all pertinent x-rays, CTs, MRIs, and lab studies to facility
• Our physicians will help prepare diabetic patients
• Administration of tracer
• Peripheral IV placed
• Blood sugar measured (should be less than 150 mg)
• Inject tracer (fluorodeoxyglucose, FDG)
• Safe, no contraindications
• Radiation similar or less than standard diagnostic tests
• Remove IV
Uptake Phase
• Patients rest comfortably for 45-60 minutes, while tracer concentrates
• May read or visit with family members
• Will feel completely normal -- tracer is not a dye or drug (it is glucose)
Imaging
• Scanner time averages 50 minutes
• No removal of clothes, dye injection, breath-holding, or narrow tunnel
• When finished, discharge from center without restrictions
Analysis/Reporting of Results
• Our dedicated physician(s) review all studies within 24 hours
• Preliminary report issued within 24 hours or by next working day
• All doctors involved in the patient’s care will receive copies of the report
The basic principle is the labeling of biologically important molecules, such as glucose, with a trace amount of radioactivity. Once administered to a patient, these radioactive tracers concentrate at sites of malignancy. The overwhelming majority of tumors preferentially concentrate these tracers in much higher amounts as compared to normal tissues. Sophisticated P.E.T. scanners and computers allow images to locate sites of malignancy -- often weeks to months before they become apparent on standard radiographs, including CT and MRI.