PET scan

A PET scan uses a small amount of radioactive tracer. The tracer is given through a vein (IV). The needle is most often inserted on the inside of your elbow. The tracer travels through your blood and collects in organs and tissues. This helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly. You will need to wait as the…

You may be asked not to eat anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan. You will be able to drink water but no other beverages including coffee. If you have diabetes, your provider will tell you not to take your diabetes medicine before the test. These medicines will interfere with the results. Tell your provider if:…

You may feel a sharp sting when the needle with the tracer is placed into your vein. A PET scan causes no pain. The table may be hard or cold, but you can request a blanket or pillow. An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to…

The most common use for a PET scan is for cancer, when it may be done: To see how far cancer has spread. This helps to select the best treatment approach. To check how well your cancer is responding, either during treatment or after treatment is completed. This test can also be used to: Check brain function most often…

A normal result means there were no problems seen in the size, shape, or position of an organ. There are no areas in which the tracer has abnormally collected.

Abnormal results depend on the part of the body being studied. Abnormal results may be due to: Cancer Infection Problem with organ function

The amount of radiation used in a PET scan is about the same amount as used in most CT scans. These scans use short-lived tracers, so the radiation is gone from your body in about 2 to 10 hours. Having many x-rays, CT or PET scans over time may increase your risk for cancer. However, the risk from any one scan is…

It is possible to have false results on a PET scan. Blood sugar or insulin levels may affect the test results in people with diabetes. Most PET scans are now performed along with a CT scan. This combination scan is called a PET/CT. This helps find the exact location of the tumor.

Deroose CM, Dooms C. Positron emission tomography. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25. Glaudemans AWJM, Israel O, Slart RHJA, Ben-Haim S, Slart RHJA. Vascular PET/CT and SPECT/CT. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA,…