Uses for P.E.T. in brain imaging

• Brain tumor imaging
• Detection of Alzheimer's Disease
• Determination of Epileptic Focus
• Assessment of viable areas for experimental tissue transplantation in Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease
• Determination of normal from abnormal areas of brain metabolism (¹⁸F FDG)
• Determination of normal from abnormal areas of brain perfusion (¹⁵O water)

Example Case Studies

• Huntington's Disease
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Cruetzfeldt - Jakob Disease
• Pick's_disease
• Epilepsy_-_Interictal
• Traumatic_Brain_Injury

How are Neurological P.E.T. studies performed?

A brain scan is done to aid in the diagnoses of seizures, dementia and tumor versus radiation damage from treatment. If the scan is required for the location of a seizure focus, the patient must be seizure free for 12 hours. The technologist will give a small, safe quantity of [18F]FDG by IV injection. The brain uses glucose as its only metabolic fuel. Since [18F]FDG is a radioactive form of glucose, brain cells actively collect or take up [18F]FDG. The patient reclines on a bed for the [18F]FDG IV injection and "uptake" time. PET scanning begings approximately 40 minutes after injection. The patient lies on the imaging bed and the patient's head is positioned comfortably for scanning. The distribution of the [18F]FDG radiotracer is read by a nuclear medicine physician. Results will be made available to the patient's referring physician.

What the patient needs to know

• Nothing by mouth for 4 hours before appointment except water with medications
• Patient will need IV
• Scanning time is 1-2 hours
• Total time in P.E.T. Imaging Center is 2-3 hours
• No after effects from injection or imaging
• May return to normal activity immediately after P.E.T. scan is completed
• P.E.T. nurse will call patient the day before the scan to answer questions concerning procedure

P.E.T. is located in the lower level of Pappajohn Pavilion across from elevator I. Call 319-356-4101 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday to schedule a P.E.T. study. More Scheduling Information

Other Types Of Imaging Done at PET

Heart Disease

Oncology