PET

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Positron Emission Tomography (PET) technology, often used in combination with CT imaging, uses a scanner and a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) which is injected into a patient’s vein to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. A PET-CT scan consists of 2 parts: first, a CT scan to pinpoint the location for the PET, and then the PET scan itself. During a PET scan, a ring of detectors picks up radiation signals from the patient’s body coming from previously injected radiopharmaceuticals. The computer then analyzes the information and constructs an image of the targeted area. During some PET/CT scans, a contrast medium, or “dye”, is used to help see the image more easily.