What is P.E.T? Positron Emission Tomography or P.E.T. is the study and visualization of human physiology by electronic detection of short-lived positron emitting radiopharmaceuticals. It is the only non-invasive technology that can routinely and quantitatively measure metabolic, biochemical and functional activity in living tissue. The P.E.T. scan has emerged as a truly revolutionary method of measuring body function and guiding disease treatment. It assesses changes in the function, circulation and metabolism of body organs. Unlike MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography) scans which primarily provide images of organ anatomy, P.E.T. measures chemical changes that occur before visible signs of disease are present on CT and MRI images. The greatest share of P.E.T. cameras being sold today have combined CT with P.E.T. and this marriage has created new technology that has increase diagnostic accuracy particularly for cancer patients.     This Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging technique uses a radioactive tracer or radiopharmaceutical, hundreds of radiation detectors and sophisticated computer technologies to identify the biochemistry of internal organs. Small safe amounts of specific radioactive tracers are administered to patients and research volunteer subjects by injection who are then imaged with a special camera called a P.E.T. Scanner that measures the radioactivity distributed throughout the body and creates three dimensional pictures or images of tissue function. P.E.T. can be used to visualize rapidly growing tumors, to determine tumor response to radiation and/or chemo therapy, to diagnose recurrence of tumor growth after surgical removal, to decide the best location for biopsying a suspected tumor and to differentiate radiation necrosis from new tumor growth. Positron emission tomography can be used to assess the extent of cardiovascular disease and to aid in the prediction of the success of a coronary bypass operation prior to surgery. P.E.T. has demonstrated that it is a clinically proven, cost effective, and safe method for imaging colon cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, brain cancer, heart disease and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease. P.E.T. is also a useful tool in determining whether exploratory surgery, radiation therapy, organ transplantation or other procedures may be necessary.     Patient Prep Area

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