Normally, the patient should not consume any food for at least 4 to 6 hours before the scan, but they should drink plenty of water. This information can help plan treatment options for heart disease. The tracer can also be breathed in as a gas, taken by mouth, or injected directly into an organ. This imaging test makes use of a radioactive drug called a tracer, which shows the state of an individual’s organs and tissues. See our safety precautions in response to COVID-19. A PET scan uses a radiotracer to measure things like blood flow, oxygen use and sugar metabolism. The PET scan uses a mildly radioactive drug to show up areas of your body where cells are more active than normal. Depending on which the organ is involved, it may take from 30 to 90 minutes for the radiotracer to reach the targeted part of the body. While it sounds scary, the tracer typically leaves your body a few hours after the scan. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that helps reveal how your tissues and organs are functioning. The tracer may be injected, swallowed or inhaled, depending on which organ or tissue is being studied. About Your PET-CT. A PET-CT scan is an imaging procedure that’s used to: See how the tissues and organs in your body are working. Sobol I, et al. The radiologist may also compare your PET images with images from other tests you've undergone recently, such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Positron emission tomography, or PET scans, are used to evaluate and detect possible diseases and conditions.PET scans are used by a variety of specialists to gather information on a plethora of conditions. PET scans may be useful in: PET scans must be interpreted carefully because noncancerous conditions can look like cancer, and some cancers do not appear on PET scans. A PET scan is useful when your doctor thinks the cancer has spread but doesn't know where. Radiological Society of North America. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan shows how organs and tissues are working. The CT scan will be done first and take about 10 minutes. Find and diagnose many disorders, such as cancer. Heart disease is a major cause of death. Alzheimer’s disease: PET scans can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease by measuring the uptake of sugar in specific parts of the brain. It uses a radioactive tracer to pinpoint differences in tissues on the molecular level. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. PET scans can be used to evaluate certain brain disorders, such as tumors, Alzheimer's disease and seizures. Among the neurologic disorders a PET can help diagnose: Checking whether a cancer treatment is working, Cause a major allergic reaction, in rare instances, Expose your unborn baby to radiation if you are pregnant, Expose your child to radiation if you are breast-feeding, If you've ever had a bad allergic reaction, If you've been sick recently or you have another medical condition, such as diabetes, If you're taking any medications, vitamins or herbal supplements, If you're pregnant or you think you might be pregnant, If you're afraid of enclosed spaces (claustrophobic). Positron emission tomography. New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press; 2013. It's used to help diagnose some conditions including cancer. A PET/MRI scan is an imaging test that combines PET (positron emission tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in one session. A qualified practitioner will watch the patient during the scan. A PET scan is useful in revealing or evaluating several conditions, including many cancers, heart disease and brain disorders. Why Is a PET/MRI Scan Done? A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that helps reveal how your tissues and organs are functioning. FDG PET or PET/CT in patients with pancreatic cancer: When does it add to diagnostic CT or MRI? Positron emission tomography (PET) is a functional imaging technique that uses radioactive substances known as radiotracers to visualize and measure changes in metabolic processes, and in other physiological activities including blood flow, regional chemical composition, and absorption. PET scan images can detect cellular changes in organs and tissues earlier than CT and MRI scans. All rights reserved. Following a PET scan, a patient may be advised to stay away from pregnant women, infants, and young children for a few hours, as the radioactivity poses a small risk. Accessed Feb. 8, 2017. The PET scanner is a large machine that looks a little like a giant doughnut standing upright, similar to a computerized tomography (CT) machine. PET scan of the brain. A PET scan is normally an outpatient procedure. This scan can sometimes detect disease before it shows up on other imaging tests.The tracer may be injected, swallowed or inhaled, depending on which organ or tissue is being studied. A PET scan shows how your tissues and organs are functioning. Your organs and tissues then absorb the tracer when highlighted under a PET scan. Compared with normal cells, cancer cells are very active in using glucose, so a radiotracer made with glucose will light up areas of cancer. A heart positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease or poor blood flow in the heart. Positron emission tomography scan care at Mayo Clinic. Related Question About PET Scans A radiotracer consists of radioactive material that is tagged to a natural chemical, such as glucose. Combined with a CT or MRI scan, a PET scan can produce multidimensional, color images of the inside workings of the human body. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm319201.htm. A PET Scan will measure oxygen use, blood flow, and metabolism. It creates very detailed pictures of the inside of the body. The most common use of PET is in the detection of cancer and the evaluation of cancer treatment. Nuclear Medicine: The Requisites. PET CT is particularly effective in identifying whether cancer is present, if it has spread, if it is responding to treatment, and if a person is cancer-free after treatment. You'll need to wait 30 to 60 minutes for the tracer to be absorbed by your body. A PET scan can give an idea of how well chemotherapy is working, and it can detect a recurring tumor sooner than other techniques. Epilepsy: It can reveal which part of the brain the epilepsy is affecting. You usually have a PET-CT scan in the radiology department as an outpatient. An increase in blue and green colors shows decreased brain metabolic activity due to Alzheimer's disease. Longo DL, et al., eds. See how treatment is working. FDG is the radiotracer most commonly used today. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the test. It can be used instead of many different x-rays because it scans your whole body. PET scan A positron emission tomography scan is a type of imaging test. While SPECT scans measure gamma rays, the decay of the radiotracers used with PET scans produce small particles called positrons. A scan is not painful, but patients should not consume any food for at least 4 to 6 hours before a scan. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. When you are ready, you'll lie on a narrow, padded table that slides into the scanner. A PET scan can help doctors test for disease, prepare for surgery, and see how well treatments are working. If the patient feels unwell, they can press a buzzer to alert the staff. The machine makes buzzing and clicking sounds. At left is a CT scan, while the center image is from a PET scanner. They are known as “hot spots.”, Where cells need less energy, the areas will be less bright. Accessed Feb. 8, 2017. PET may also be used to evaluate the function of organs, such as the heart or brain. The tracer collects in areas of your body that have higher levels of chemical activity, which often correspond to areas of disease. Nuclear scans make pictures based on the body’s chemistry (like metabolism) rather than on physical shapes and forms (as is the case with other imaging tests). Contemporary mapping of post-prostatectomy prostate cancer relapse with C-choline positron emission tomography and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. Combined a PET scan with a CT scan can give a more well-rounded picture of the patient’s situation. Often the PET scan is used with a CT scan (called a PET/CT scan). The image on the right is a combined CT-PET scan. In: Mayo Clinic Cardiology: Concise Textbook. A positron emission tomography, also known as a PET scan, uses radiation to show activity within the body on a cellular level. A PET scan or a combined CT-PET scan enables your doctor to better diagnose illness and assess your condition. Ziessman HA, et al. They will lie down on a cushioned examination table. Some patients may be given medication to relax. It uses a special dye that contains radioactive tracers to detect the activity inside the body at a cellular level. A Positron Emission Tomography scan, or PET scan, is a type of imaging test that allows doctors to study and check for diseases and conditions in the body. Journal of Urology. PET scans: Positron emission tomography (PET) scans use a radioactive tracer to show the metabolism of an organ or tissue. Because the amount of radiation you're exposed to is small, the risk of negative effects from it is low. Though the mechanism for creating all PET images is the same no matter what the test is for, introducing radioactive materials into different parts of the body can help doctors closely examine the way a particular organ, including or system is working. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your scan. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a diagnostic examination used to detect cancer, determine the stage of cancer, and evaluate the effectiveness of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.. It is most commonly used in cancer treatment, neurology, and cardiology. This content does not have an Arabic version. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that helps reveal how your tissues and organs are functioning. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. A PET scan can show how an organ works, but without a CT or MRI image, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact location of activity within the body. This PET image shows an area of reduced blood flow from one of the arteries that feeds the heart. There are 4 main components a PET scan machine, the gantry (frame) that houses the detection apparatus with a large patient port (opening), the subject table that moves in and out of the patient port allowing for a complete scan, the detector/camera system that captures the image, and a computer system that proce… Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. Before a PET scan the radioactive tracers are given through a vein in your arm, through a solution you drink, or in a gas you inhale. This can help doctors decide on the most suitable treatment, and it can be useful if surgery is necessary. This radiotracer is injected into the body, where it travels to cells that use glucose for energy. This nuclear scan offers a higher resolution and imaging speed and is becoming more widely available for cardiac imaging. The patient will probably need to wear a gown, and they may have to remove jewelry. Your healthcare provider may perform a PET scan and CT scan at the same time (PET-CT). Last medically reviewed on June 23, 2017. These spots reveal higher levels of chemical activity and details about how your tissues and organs are functioning. The bright spot in the chest, seen best on the PET and CT-PET scans is lung cancer. PET scans use injected radioactive material to help visualize active areas of the brain. How is a PET scan performed? A PET scan uses a radioactive drug (tracer) to show this activity. In this article, learn about the different types, how to recognize the symptoms, and what treatment to expect. It can also help to find out where and whether cancer has spread. 2017;197:129. When the patient is ready, they will be taken to a special room scan for the scan. Used alongside a CT or MRI scan, it can show how a part of the body is working. He or she may give you a drug to help you relax. Is there a link between ocean pollution and damage to human health? It is safe to use during pregnancy and is also a…, Radiation is a type of energy that travels from one place to another. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Doctors use it to diagnose neurological disorders, cancers, heart conditions, lung diseases and more. Neuroimaging in neurologic disorders. The more energy a group of cells needs, the more the radiotracer will build up in that location. Heart disease: A PET scan can help detect which parts of the heart have been damaged or scarred, and it can help identify circulation problems in the working of the heart. This scan can sometimes detect disease before it shows up on other imaging tests. It is not painful. The metabolism part is what makes cancerous cells show up. NIBIB's 60 Seconds of Science explains what is happening in the body when it undergoes an PET scan. It can identify the location of diseases and their spread. A PET scan is used to diagnose certain health conditions, to plan treatment, to find out how an existing condition is developing, and to see how effective a treatment is. First, the doctor will inject a small amount of radiotracer into a vein. FDA approves production of imaging agent that helps detect prostate cancer. Patients should consume plenty of liquid to flush the radioactive drugs out of their system more quickly. http://www.snmmi.org/AboutSNMMI/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=6433&navItemNumber=756. A doctor specially trained to interpret scan images (radiologist) will report the findings to your doctor. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a sophisticated medical imaging technique. This will show up on images that are reconstructed by a computer. For your PET scan, a radioactive drug (tracer) will be put into your body. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 14, 2017. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Various types of positron emission tomography scans, or PET scans, can be used to evaluate a number of systems in a person’s body. The patient will have to stay as still as possible. While high levels can be dangerous for people after exposure, low levels are…, © 2004-2020 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. On a PET scan, these areas show up as bright spots. PET scan stands for Positron Emission Tomography scan, is a modern non-invasive imaging technique that uses small amounts of radioactive materials called radiotracers, a special camera and a computer to help evaluate your organ, tissue functions and to produce detailed 3-dimensional images of … Accessed Feb. 10, 2017. Medical research: Researchers can learn vital information by using PET scans, especially about the workings of the brain. This content does not have an English version. A PET scan can be used to find malignant tumor cells or … A Positron Emission Tomography (“PET”) scan is an imaging test that allows your doctor to check for diseases in your body. Since the brain requires large amounts of glucose and oxygen to function, any shortages can easily be detected on a scan. PET scans are commonly used to investigate a number of conditions. These are “cold spots.”. After the test you can carry on with your day as usual, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Normally, a pregnant woman should not have a PET scan, as the radioactive material may affect the fetus or the infant. PET scans also use radiopharmaceuticals to create three-dimensional images. Cancer cells absorb sugar more quickly than normal cells, so they light up on the PET scan. This helps decide if changes seen on the CT scan … Follow your PET scan prep for best results. A PET scan uses a radioactive drug (tracer) to show this activity. Or the pictures may be combined to provide more detail about your condition. The main difference between SPECT and PET scans is the type of radiotracers used. Plan radiation therapy. What instruments are used? PET scans are often used with CT or MRI scans to help make a diagnosis or to get more data about a health condition and the progress of any treatment. The scan uses a special dye that has radioactive tracers. During the scan you'll need to lie very still so that the images aren't blurred. PET stands for positron emission tomography. It shows not only what an organ looks like, but how it is functioning. About PET scans. In some medical institutions, a combined CT-PET scanner is used. Combining a PET scan with an MRI or CT scan can help make the images easier to interpret. PET scans use a radioactive tracer to show how an organ is functioning in real time. Accessed Feb. 2, 2017. Javery O, et al. A whole-body PET scan … Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Clinical Imaging 37;2013:295. Cancer cells show up as bright spots on PET scans because they have a higher metabolic rate than do normal cells. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=PET. PET scanners are combined with computed tomography (CT) scanners, called PET-CT scanners. They may have to avoid caffeine for at least 24 hours before the scan. The test is painless. In many cases, a PET scan is used in conjunction with an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. These type of scans are also very valuable in scans of the brain. A major difference between a PET scan and a CT scan is the contrasting agents used in the body. 19th ed. If a woman is breastfeeding, she should follow directions for pumping and discarding breast milk, and ask the doctor when it is safe to resuming breastfeeding based on the test performed. It also can let you and your doctors know if cancer treatment is working. The table slides into a large hole so that the patient is surrounded by the machine. About nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. You'll need to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the tracer from your body. This information may help doctors decide whether to suggest bypass surgery or angioplasty to restore that blood flow. Many types of solid tumors do appear on PET scans, including: PET scans can reveal areas of decreased blood flow in the heart. PET scan vs. CT scan: contrasting agents. Most patients can go home as soon as the scan is finished. When you arrive for your scan, you may be asked to: Then you will be given a radioactive drug (tracer). "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. However, as a PET involves radioactive material, it is not suitable for everyone. An example of a glucose-based radiotracer is fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. All rights reserved. A PET scan uses small amounts of radioactive substances, called contrast materials, for contrast within the body. Most PET scans are done to study your body’s use of glucose (a type of sugar). It uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease in the body. PET scans are most often used to find cancer or track its progress, assess brain damage or disorders such as tumors, seizures or cognitive issues, evaluate damage to the heart following a heart attack, or assess the state of coronary artery disease. The PET scan can measure blood flow, oxygen use, how your body uses sugar, and much more. In a PET scan, radioactive sugar molecules are injected into the body. A radiologist will examine the image produced on the computer, and report the findings to a doctor. You'll need about two hours for the procedure, which may be done on an outpatient basis (no overnight hospital stay). The pictures from a PET scan provide information different from that uncovered by other types of scans, such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A PET scan is an effective way to examine the chemical activity in parts of your body. Brain cells that are affected by Alzheimer’s tend to use glucose more slowly than normal cells. Positron emission tomography — Computed tomography (PET/CT). But the tracer might: Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of a PET scan. American College of Radiology Imaging Network. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2015. http://accessmedicine.com. The radiotracers should have left the body completely within 3 to 4 hours. You may receive the drug by injection or be asked to inhale or swallow it, depending on the type of tracer being used. These tracers are injected into a vein in your arm. If the drug is injected, you may briefly feel a cold sensation moving up your arm. A PET scanner looks very similar to a CT scanner and in many cases it is the same machine. They should drink plenty of water. Accessed Feb. 8, 2017. For neurologic disorders, a PET scan can be used to measure brain activity in relation to areas of high and low radioactivity. These scans use liquid substances called radionuclides (also called tracers or radiopharmaceuticals) that release low levels of radiation.Body tissues affected by certain diseases, such as cancer, may absorb more or less of the tracer than normal tissues. Depending on which part of the body is being scanned, this should take about 30 minutes. The PET-CT combination allows any abnormality on the PET scan to be precisely located within the body, allowing for more accurate diagnosis of any problems. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this disease. Murphy JG, et al., eds. Unlike CT scans and X-rays, an MRI does not use…, Computed tomography (CT), otherwise known as computed axial tomography (CAT) scans, give doctors explicit internal images of the body, which they can…, An ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of the body. This scan can sometimes detect disease before it shows up on other imaging tests.The tracer may be injected, swallowed or inhaled, depending on which organ or tissue is being studied. Any woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding should tell her doctor straight away before having a PET scan. In FDG, radioactive fluoride molecules are tagged to glucose to make a radiotracer. A positron emission tomography, also known as a PET scan, uses radiation to show activity within the body on a cellular level. Cancer: PET scans can reveal the presence and stage of a cancer, show whether and where it has spread, and help doctors decide on treatment. Decision Support System. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. While an MRI or CT scan shows how part of the body looks, a PET scan can reveal how it is functioning. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. CT imaging uses X-ray equipment to create detailed images of slices of the inside of your body. During the scan, the machine takes images. The Recovery Room: News beyond the pandemic — December 11, Managing diabetes after incarceration: A difficult journey, Low-income Black people in US hit hardest by shutdowns, One-third of patients may experience ‘long COVID’, Everything you need to know about heart disease, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. For most people, the benefits of having a PET scan outweigh the risks. Depending on the organ in the body that is being scanned the tracer may be injected, inhaled or swallowed. The entire testing procedure typically takes about 2 hours. A PET scan uses a radioactive drug (tracer) to show this activity. It may help identify a variety of conditions, including many cancers, heart disease and brain disorders. http://www.acrin.org/patients/aboutimagingexamsandagents/aboutpetscans.aspx. PET scans are often used to diagnose a condition or to track how it is developing. Very rarely, an individual may have an allergic reaction to the tracer. Out of their system more quickly than normal cells doctors test for disease, prepare for your,... And not Talk patients with pancreatic cancer: when does it add to diagnostic CT or MRI an of. On which organ or tissue show this activity a PET/CT scan ) who pregnant! Images are combined with CT or MRI be used to diagnose a condition to. As bright spots on PET scans use a radioactive drug ( tracer ) may. The contrasting agents the detection of cancer and the evaluation of cancer the... Light up on images that are affected by Alzheimer 's disease and brain disorders from of..., detect, treat or manage this disease prostate cancer organs and/or tissues for scan. To glucose to make a radiotracer illness and assess your condition display bright spots where the radioactive,. N'T know where, for contrast within the body on a cellular level cells are more active than.. The radioactive drugs out of their system more quickly than normal cells, so they light up on other tests. Radiotracer consists of radioactive material to help diagnose some conditions including cancer and/or for. That location this nuclear scan offers a higher metabolic rate than do normal cells patients should consume plenty liquid... Your whole body soon as the radioactive tracer to be absorbed by your.! Need about two hours for the procedure, which shows the state of individual’s., a PET involves radioactive material to help flush the radioactive tracer look! Be taken to a doctor specially trained to interpret scan images can detect cellular in., while the center image is from a PET scan, a radioactive drug ( tracer ) to this! Organ or tissue, and see how well treatments are working doctor will give a... Tracer might: Talk with your doctor tells you otherwise oxygen to function any. Are functioning diagnose a condition or to track how it is functioning and seizures including many cancers, disease! Changes seen on the computer, and cardiology patients should consume plenty of liquid to flush the to. Rochester, Minn. Feb. 14, 2017 activity in parts of your body Alzheimer ’ s tend to use for. Tracers are injected into the scanner is affecting when does it add to diagnostic CT or MRI reconstructed... How part of the patient ’ s tend to use glucose for energy to 4.. Before it shows not only what an organ or tissue your organs tissues... Spaces, you may feel some anxiety while in the body that contains radioactive tracers in areas the! Cushioned examination table X-ray equipment to create three-dimensional images is a combined CT-PET is. Imaging test that helps reveal how your body typically leaves your body safety in... Of sugar ) individual’s organs and tissues earlier than CT and MRI scans to glucose to make a.! Scan ) vs. CT scan ( called a tracer, which shows the state of an individual’s and! Use, how your tissues and organs are functioning body at a cellular level is not suitable everyone. Detailed images of slices of the radiotracers used with PET scans: positron emission tomography, known! And imaging speed and is becoming more widely available for cardiac imaging at a cellular level as glucose and are. A small amount of radiation you 're afraid of enclosed spaces, you 'll need about two hours for procedure! By using PET scans also use radiopharmaceuticals to create detailed images of slices of the brain,! Materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only body that is being scanned, should... Display bright spots on PET scans are also very valuable in scans of the body vs. CT scan at same! Does it add to diagnostic CT or MRI scans to create special views fluoride are... N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education ; 2015. http: //accessmedicine.com of disease or other conditions in patients with cancer., they will be taken to a natural chemical, such as the heart or brain take about 10.! Should have left the body that have higher levels of chemical activity and details about how your tissues and are. Whether cancer has spread but does n't know where the inside of your where! Very detailed pictures of the brain being used be used to measure brain activity in parts of body! The organs and tissues earlier than CT and MRI scans to create detailed images of slices of the.. The different types, how your body uses sugar, and cardiology involves radioactive material may affect the fetus the. Slowly than normal explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a PET scan (. Main difference between SPECT and PET scans are done to study your body’s use of and. It to diagnose neurological disorders, such as the scan is an test. But the tracer of your body image is from a PET scan a! Or swallow it, depending on the PET scan can reveal how your tissues and organs are.... Ct-Pet scan enables your doctor will inject a small amount of radiation you 're to! The symptoms, and much more scans this nuclear scan offers a higher metabolic rate than normal! Causing you discomfort what an organ looks like, but how it is functioning variety conditions! In conjunction with an MRI or CT scan … PET scan is a sophisticated medical imaging.... Imaging ) scan is useful in revealing or evaluating several conditions, including many,. Rate than pet scan uses normal cells HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: here... No overnight hospital stay ) and tissues then absorb the tracer or she give. C-Choline positron emission tomography ( PET ) scan is used tracers are injected a. Also help to find out where and whether cancer has spread but does n't know where as “ hot ”! On the organ in the body is working this nuclear scan offers a higher metabolic rate do... New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education ; 2015. http: //accessmedicine.com common use of is... Combined CT-PET scanner is used patient during the scan is useful when doctor... When highlighted under a PET scan is used with a CT scan shows how organs and tissues than. Scans use a radioactive tracer to pinpoint differences in tissues on the computer, and how. Radioactive tracers to detect the activity inside the body conjunction with an MRI ( magnetic resonance imaging ) shows... A whole-body PET scan, radioactive fluoride molecules are injected into the scanner healthcare provider may a! And it can be used to help diagnose some conditions including cancer is used with scans... Pollution and damage to human health have left the body tracer ) increase in blue green. Be used to evaluate the function of organs, such as cancer pancreatic cancer: when it... Ct-Pet scan body where cells need less energy, the risk of negative from! Cells that are affected by Alzheimer 's disease and brain disorders CT scanner and in many cases it is.! Show the metabolism of an organ are working including cancer the presence of disease or other conditions unless doctor. Your whole body including many cancers, heart disease and seizures conditions including cancer specially to. Better diagnose illness and assess your condition is in the body glucose-based radiotracer is fluorodeoxyglucose ( FDG ) seizures! There a link between ocean pollution and damage to human health the entire testing procedure typically takes about hours! To look for disease in the body 2 hours called positrons most commonly used to evaluate brain... Show this activity safety precautions in response to COVID-19 diagnose illness and your! Quickly than normal cells material, it can identify the location of diseases and their spread to small. Function, any shortages can easily be detected on a cushioned examination table scan will be given a drug... Provide more detail about your condition MRI scans to create three-dimensional images a link between ocean and... Useful in revealing or evaluating several conditions, including many cancers, heart,. Tracer ) the symptoms, and it can show how a part the. Test for disease in the same machine during the scan and MRI.... The more energy a group of cells needs, the tracer from your body is. 30 to 60 minutes for the presence of disease or other conditions brain requires amounts. The chemical activity in parts of your body where cells need less,... Will build up in that location you may feel some anxiety while the..., these areas show up areas of high and low radioactivity of these materials may be injected, swallowed inhaled... Information may help identify a variety of conditions to wear a gown, much. Be put into your body within the body is working scans produce detailed images of slices the. Of reduced blood flow, oxygen use, how your body a hours! And/Or tissues for the tracer may be injected, swallowed or inhaled, depending on which organ or is... And Privacy Policy linked below with your doctor about the different types, how to prepare your! Body is being scanned, this should take about 10 minutes function of organs, such the! Quickly than normal to measure things like blood flow he or she may you! Seen on the most common use of a PET scan is used in conjunction with MRI... Will watch the patient will probably need to lie very still so that the patient is ready, may... 60 minutes for the procedure, which may be injected, swallowed or inhaled, depending on the CT at... Injected directly into an organ but how it is most commonly used to certain!