What is Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanning?
PET measures the body’s metabolic activity to produce three-dimensional images that help physicians differentiate between normal and abnormal tissue. First, the patient is injected with a radioactive form of glucose (sugar) which is metabolized by the body. This substance emits signals which are picked up by the PET scanner. Next, a computer assembles these emissions into images. Cancer cells, for example, show up more brightly on the scan because they are more metabolically active. In cardiovascular or neurologic disorders, PET identifies problem areas by picking up indications of reduced metabolic activity. Patients undergoing the PET scan receive the amount of radiation in approximately two chest x-rays.
