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PET works by using a scanning device (a machine with a large hole at its center) to detect photons(subatomic particles) emitted by a radionuclide in the organ or tissue being examined.
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What is the purpose of a PET scan?
PET Scan Menu. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a type of imaging test that helps doctors see how the organs and tissues inside your body are actually working. In a PET scan, a very small dose of a radioactive chemical, called a radiotracer, is injected into the vein of your arm.
How long does it take for a PET scan to show?
The scanner takes about 30 minutes to produce detailed images of metabolic activity in your tissues and organs. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that can help reveal the metabolic or biochemical function of your tissues and organs.
What happens during a PET scan of the brain?
PET scans can be used to evaluate certain brain disorders, such as tumors, Alzheimer’s disease and seizures. For your PET scan, a radioactive drug (tracer) will be put into your body. Because the amount of radiation you’re exposed to is small, the risk of negative effects from it is low. But the tracer might:
What can a PET scan tell you about metabolism?
The PET scan uses a radioactive drug (tracer) to show both normal and abnormal metabolic activity. A PET scan can often detect the abnormal metabolism of the tracer in diseases before the disease shows up on other imaging tests, such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).