Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Service description
What is positron emission tomography (PET)?
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a diagnostic imaging technique that is part of nuclear medicine. This study measures the metabolic activity of organs and tissues through the use of a radiopharmaceutical, which is administered to the patient beforehand. This radiopharmaceutical acts as a contrast that makes it possible to visualize areas of greater or lesser activity in the body. The most common is glucose labeled with Fluor-18, a form of sugar that accumulates in areas where there is greater cellular activity, which helps to detect areas of possible disease.
What is a positron emission tomography (PET) scan used for?
Positron emission tomography is mainly used for:
Diagnose and evaluate cancer, as it can identify the extent of disease in the body, detect metastases and monitor response to treatment.
Evaluate heart disease, such as coronary heart disease, as it shows how the heart uses glucose.
Detect neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, by assessing brain metabolism.
PET is often performed in conjunction with a CT (computed tomography) scan, which allows for more detailed images of the exact location of the affected areas. This combination of PET and CT imaging facilitates a more accurate diagnosis by fusing metabolic and structural data.
Preparing for the exam
Before performing a PET scan, it is important to follow some recommendations to ensure the accuracy of the study:
Fasting for at least 4 to 6 hours before the exam, although drinking water is allowed.
Avoid intense physical activities during the 24 hours prior to the test, as they may influence the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical.
Inform the physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as the use of radiopharmaceuticals may not be recommended.
In some cases, you may be asked to stop taking certain medications before the test.
You may be asked to avoid carbohydrates or sugars the day before the test to ensure adequate uptake of the radiopharmaceutical.
How will you feel during the exam?
The PET scanning process is painless. During the injection of the radiopharmaceutical, you may feel a slight discomfort from the needle, similar to drawing blood. After the injection, you will need to wait 30 to 60 minutes for the radiopharmaceutical to be distributed throughout your body. During this time, you will need to remain at rest.
Once in the scanner, you will need to remain still while the machine takes the images, which can take 20 to 40 minutes. The machine makes soft noises during the scan, but does not cause pain. After the scan, you can resume your normal activities, although it is recommended that you drink plenty of fluids to help flush the radiopharmaceutical from your body.
In summary, PET is a key study for evaluating diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders, providing detailed information about cellular activity and the body's metabolism.
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Service description - Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
What is positron emission tomography (PET)?
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a diagnostic imaging technique that is part of nuclear medicine. This study measures the metabolic activity of organs and tissues through the use of a radiopharmaceutical, which is administered to the patient beforehand. This radiopharmaceutical acts as a contrast that makes it possible to visualize areas of greater or lesser activity in the body. The most common is glucose labeled with Fluor-18, a form of sugar that accumulates in areas where there is greater cellular activity, which helps to detect areas of possible disease.
What is a positron emission tomography (PET) scan used for?
Positron emission tomography is mainly used for:
Diagnose and evaluate cancer, as it can identify the extent of disease in the body, detect metastases and monitor response to treatment.
Evaluate heart disease, such as coronary heart disease, as it shows how the heart uses glucose.
Detect neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, by assessing brain metabolism.
PET is often performed in conjunction with a CT (computed tomography) scan, which allows for more detailed images of the exact location of the affected areas. This combination of PET and CT imaging facilitates a more accurate diagnosis by fusing metabolic and structural data.
Preparing for the exam
Before performing a PET scan, it is important to follow some recommendations to ensure the accuracy of the study:
Fasting for at least 4 to 6 hours before the exam, although drinking water is allowed.
Avoid intense physical activities during the 24 hours prior to the test, as they may influence the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical.
Inform the physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as the use of radiopharmaceuticals may not be recommended.
In some cases, you may be asked to stop taking certain medications before the test.
You may be asked to avoid carbohydrates or sugars the day before the test to ensure adequate uptake of the radiopharmaceutical.
How will you feel during the exam?
The PET scanning process is painless. During the injection of the radiopharmaceutical, you may feel a slight discomfort from the needle, similar to drawing blood. After the injection, you will need to wait 30 to 60 minutes for the radiopharmaceutical to be distributed throughout your body. During this time, you will need to remain at rest.
Once in the scanner, you will need to remain still while the machine takes the images, which can take 20 to 40 minutes. The machine makes soft noises during the scan, but does not cause pain. After the scan, you can resume your normal activities, although it is recommended that you drink plenty of fluids to help flush the radiopharmaceutical from your body.
In summary, PET is a key study for evaluating diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders, providing detailed information about cellular activity and the body's metabolism.