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PET-CT
Northern Michigan Regional Hospital offers positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scanning technology
that combines a diagnostic PET scan and a low dose non diagnostic CT
into one unit to provide faster scan times and higher-quality images.
PET-CT helps in the early diagnosis of cancer.
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PET (positron emission tomography) looks at how the cells in your
body process a radioactive tracer material that you have injected.
- CT (computed tomography) uses x-ray technology to produce detailed images.
- By combining two scans, a PET-CT shows both your anatomy and how your cells are behaving.
- The exam may take two hours or more. Actual scanning time is 25 to 35 minutes.
- Every exam is interpreted by a radiologist.
- We use the latest technology and the capabilities of our
state-of-the-art scanners play a key role in tailoring each exam to your
specific needs and reduce radiation exposure.
What is a PET-CT exam?
Common Uses
Safety
What to Expect BEFORE a PET-CT Exam
What to Expect DURING a PET-CT Exam
What to Expect AFTER a PET-CT Exam
What is a PET-CT exam?
 PET-CT exam combines two types of scans to help pinpoint abnormal activity in the body.
A PET (positron emission tomography) scan creates an image of your
body's metabolic activity and shows the rate at which your body's cells
break down and use sugar (glucose). This is done by injecting a small
amount of radioactive material into your blood stream and waiting
for it to disperse to the area of focus. The PET scan is then performed
to detect the radioisotope and creates an image on the computer screen.
A CT (computed tomography) scan is a non-invasive medical test that uses
special x-ray equipment to produce multiple images or pictures of the
inside of the body and a computer to join them together in
cross-sectional views of the area being studied.
A PET-CT combines the functional information from a PET scan with the
anatomical information from a CT scan. When a CT scan is superimposed
over a PET scan, doctors can pinpoint the exact location of abnormal
activity. They can also see the level and extent of that activity. Even
when an abnormal growth is not yet visible on a CT scan, the PET scan
may show the abnormal activity.
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Common Uses
PET-CT scans are commonly used to find changes in the body during the
early stages of disease and for staging and restaging of cancers.
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Safety
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CT: CT examinations improve healthcare and are an essential
part of diagnosis and treatment planning. However, because there are risks
associated with the level of radiation exposure during a CT, the medical benefit of conducting the exam should always
outweigh any risks involved. No direct data has shown that CT
examinations are associated with an increased risk of cancer. Extrapolations from studies of radiation exposure suggest there is a
very small incremental risk.
At Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, we pay special attention to
minimizing radiation exposure without giving up image quality. We use many strategies to reduce radiation exposure, from
employing the latest technology to customizing exams for each patient.
- PET: The dose of radiotracer administered is small,
resulting in minimal radiation exposure. Nuclear medicine has been used
for more than five decades and there are no known long-term adverse
effects from such low-dose exposure. Allergic reactions to
radiopharmaceuticals may occur but are extremely rare.
Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there
is any possibility that they are pregnant or if they are breastfeeding. Some of the pharmaceuticals that are used for the study can
pass into the mother's milk and subsequently be consumed by the child. To avoid this possibility, it is important that a nursing mother
inform her physician and the nuclear medicine technologist about this
before the examination begins. Usually, you will be asked to discontinue
breast-feeding for a short while, pump your breasts in the interim and
discard the milk.
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What to Expect BEFORE a PET-CT Exam
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Medications: Most claustrophobic patients are able to
tolerate a PET-CT or PET scan. Talk to your physician if you think you need
some additional anti-anxiety medication for the scan. We cannot
prescribe or supply medication.
- Food and drink: Do not eat or drink anything for at least six hours before the exam. If your physician has told you to take your
regular medicine, take it with water. If you are diabetic, do not drink
or eat anything for at least four hours prior to your scan. Take your
diabetic medication as usual. If your physician has told you to take your
regular medicine, take it with water. Avoid candies, gum, or beverages
other than water.
- Exercise: Do not exercise for at least 24 hours before the exam.
- When to arrive: Check in 10 minutes before your appointment time.
- What to wear: Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes
with no metal (zippers, under wire bras, etc.). Leave your
watch, jewelry, and other valuables at home.
- Intravenous preparation: The technologist will place an IV in your arm or hand prior to the test.
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What to Expect DURING a PET-CT Exam
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Scanning: You will be required to lie flat with your arms
raised above your head. If you think you will be unable to keep your
arms above your head for approximately 35 minutes, please notify the
technologist.
- Length of exam: You should plan to be here for
approximately 2-3 hours. The actual scanning and preparation time varies
with the type of scan you are having.
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What to Expect AFTER a PET-CT Exam
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Instructions: You can drive and resume normal activities
immediately after leaving, unless you have taken medication to relax
you. It is important that you drink as much water or fluids as possible
for the rest of the day and empty your bladder as often as possible.
This will result in a more rapid clearance of radioactivity from your
body.
- Exam results: All PET-CT exams at Northern Michigan
Regional Hospital are interpreted by a radiologist. Your referring
physician will communicate these results to you.
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