PET-CT

What is PET-CT?

PET-CT is a special type of nuclear medicine imaging test which combines a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner with an x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner.

Like other nuclear medicine tests, the PET-CT test uses a radiotracer to simultaneously acquire both anatomic and physiological information about internal organs. The functional image is obtained by the PET scanner and is superimposed with anatomic image obtained by the CT scanner. A sophisticated computer then generates two- and three-dimensional images for the Radiologist to view.

PET-CT has revolutionized medical diagnosis in many fields- and may help identify a variety of conditions, including many cancers, heart disease and brain disorders. This scan can sometimes detect disease before it shows up on other imaging tests.

Specialized PET-CT Procedures

PET with NeuroQ

NeuroQ is a software program that analyzes images of the brain created by PET-CT scans. Neuro Q provides physicians with the data that can be used for earlier diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer’s. For patients, this means that dementia and Alzheimer’s can be detected and diagnosed much earlier than ever before. Earlier detection means that treatment can be implemented to lessen the impact of the disease.

Ammonia-13 Myocardial Perfusion

An ammonia-13 myocardial perfusion study is a noninvasive PET-CT scan of the heart. This study uses a radioactive tracer (called ammonia-13) to produce pictures of your heart to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD). It will show also if you have any heart muscle damage from a prior heart attack. Doctors use the results of this test to help find out if you will benefit from an angioplasty and stenting or coronary artery bypass surgery.