WHAT IS A POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY (PET) SCAN - News Techcology

WHAT IS A POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY (PET) SCAN? - News Techcology Positron emission tomography (PET) scans are used to produce detailed three-dimensional images of the inside of the body.The images can clearly show the part of the body being investigated, including any abnormal areas, and can highlight how well certain functions of the body are working.PET scans are often combined with CT scans to produce even more detailed images. This is known as a PET-CT scan.They may also occasionally be combined with an MRI scan (known as a PET-MRI scan).PET scanners work by detecting the radiation given off by a substance injected into your arm called a radiotracer as it collects in different parts of your body.In most PET scans a radiotracer called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is used, which is similar to naturally occurring glucose (a type of sugar) so your body treats it in a similar way.By analysing the areas where the radiotracer does and doesn't build up, it's possible to work out how well certain body functions are working and identify any abnormalities.For example, a concentration of FDG in the body's tissues can help identify cancerous cells because cancer cells use glucose at a much faster rate than normal cells. Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/fb-5526445/WHAT-POSITRON-EMISSION-TOMOGRAPHY-PET-SCAN.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

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