A PET scan is used to reveal to a doctor the condition of a patient’s tissues and organs. This imaging system uses a radioactive tracer that is injected. The radioactive tracer collects in areas of the body where there is an elevated level of chemical activity; this area is often the site of the disease. PET scans can often detect disease before other types of imaging. PET scans are used to evaluate the presence of cancer, heart disease, or brain disorders.
The resulting images from PET (positron emission tomography) scans can provide doctors with information not shown by other types of scans such as CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). A PET scan or a combination of PET and CT scans help the doctor better understand and diagnose the illness.
What to Expect During a PET Scan
Before you undergo a PET scan in Glendale CA, the imaging center will have provided you with detailed instructions on how to prepare. During your consultation with the doctor, do not hesitate to discuss a fear of enclosed spaces and inform your doctor of any medications, vitamins, etc. that you are taking.
The PET scanner looks very much like a large donut standing on end. As the patient, you will lay on a table that goes in and out of the “donut.” Before the scan, you will be invited to empty your bladder and don a hospital gown. Once you are ready, the radioactive tracer will be injected.
The test usually takes about 90 minutes including the uptake portion and is painless. Once the test has been completed, you can return to your daily routine. The results of the test are usually available after 48 hours; your doctor will get a report after the results have been interpreted by a radiologist. Visit Glendale MRI Institute for more information.
