How do PET Scans Work?
PET scans use a specialized camera and radioactive tracer to study organs in the body, and are conducted by a nuclear medicine specialist or radiologist. During the test, the tracer liquid is administered intravenously and moves throughout the body, where much of it collects in the specific organ or tissue. The tracer gives off tiny positively charged particles called positrons which are then captured by the PET scanner, which moves around the body recording the positrons. After the scan is complete, the PET scan recording is turned into pictures which are stored on a computer and read by a radiologist or nuclear medicine specialist. Often, a radiologist or nuclear medicine specialist will analyze and compare the PET scan to CT and MRI results to accurately diagnose patients. PET scans, including the combination PET/CT scan, are a valuable tool for detecting cancer cells. To find out more information about PET scans at White Plains Hospital, please contact the Radiology Department at 9
