Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT)
PET/CTs at Wellstar
Positron emission tomography (PET) describes an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to show the metabolism and the function of cells. Computed tomography (CT), meanwhile, uses X-ray technology to show changes in the physical size or structure of internal organs. PET/CT combines both of these diagnostic tools into a single procedure, giving physicians an enhanced ability to accurately diagnose and treat diseases such as cancer.
Additionally, these scans add a new dimension to your Wellstar physician’s ability to diagnose diseases earlier and without invasive surgery as well as manage treatment more effectively throughout the course of the illness. The test can also check brain function, heart issues and blood flow.
PET/CT can be vital in diagnosing and staging many types of cancer, including lung, head/neck, esophageal, colorectal, melanoma, lymphoma and breast. Appropriate staging can greatly improve a patient’s prognosis by pinpointing disease before it can be detected by other, less-advanced imaging technologies. Such early and accurate detection is critical for planning appropriate therapy. PET-CT is also extremely useful for determining if a patient is responding to a particular treatment, helping Wellstar physicians create an optimal treatment plan.
Because PET/CT involves exposure to radiation, both in the form of x-rays and radioactive material, concerns arise about the risks. Wellstar technologists and radiologists always use the smallest possible dose of radiation necessary. Experts, including Wellstar radiologists and other physicians, believe that the information gathered through a PET/CT scan outweigh the minimal risks of radiation exposure.
Before the procedure
- The night before a PET/CT exam, you must not eat or drink anything after midnight. However, if your appointment is after 1 PM, you may eat a light, low-fat breakfast with no sugar before 7 AM. Such a breakfast might include wheat toast and an egg.
- If you have diabetes, let your physician know so that our imaging specialists can make special arrangements for you to safely take the exam, although your blood sugar must be under 180 under all examination circumstances.
- You should avoid clothing that has any metal snaps or zippers, and you should refrain from wearing jewelry or watches, although rings are acceptable. If you wear elastic or drawstring pants, you might not be required to wear a gown.
- You should inform your Wellstar physician or radiologist if you believe you might be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.
- You should also inform your physician of any allergies.
- You should also mention to the doctor if you are claustrophobic.
- If you are unable to keep your appointment, please give your Wellstar radiologist at least a 24-hour notice. The radiopharmaceutical for your examination is prepared specifically for you and cannot be re-used or recycled.
During the procedure
- For each examination, you will be asked to provide your medical history and review it with a technologist, who will also explain the procedure.
- At the start of the exam, you will receive an injection of a radiopharmaceutical through a small needle placed in a vein. For most studies, you will wait for the radioactive material to distribute through the area of your body under examination, a process that typically takes from 60 to 90 minutes. For brain scans, you will also be asked to wait in a quiet, dark room so as not to stimulate the brain.
- The technologist will then help you onto the examining table that slides slowly into the circular opening of the CT scanner and then through the PET portion of the scanner. This PET/CT scanner features an open area between the CT and the PET, giving the technologists access to the patient between scans and the patient a short break. During the entire exam, you need to remain as still as possible since movement can blur the images.
- The entire scan is painless and image acquisition will last for about 30 minutes to an hour. Due to the injection time and the necessary waiting time for the radiopharmaceutical distribution, the entire examination period will last from two to three hours.
After the procedure
Once the examination is completed, you may resume most normal activities. The injected radiopharmaceutical does not remain in your system very long, but to be safe, please wait for a few hours before getting close to an infant or anyone who’s pregnant.
Resources and Support
Wellstar uses state-of-the-art equipment and innovative digital systems integrated into all of its imaging technologies to ensure quality images at minimum dose levels.
PET/CT Scan
Augusta University Medical Center is home to the latest in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) / Computed Tomography (CT) imaging technology - the Gemini Open PET/CT - the first scanner of its kind in the Central Savannah River Area.
Our Technology
This technology combines a positron emission tomography (PET) scan with a computed tomography (CT) scan to create a very accurate and high-resolution snapshot of where certain diseases are located and how active that disease is. During the scan, patients receive a very small amount of radioactive glucose through an IV. The glucose travels to the disease site, where it is metabolized by active disease cells.
PET/CT is most commonly used in:
- Cancer treatment, to provide vital information that can diagnose cancer early and provide information on how well cancer is responding to treatment. PET/CT provides information on the degree of tumor malignancy that no other imaging modality can deliver.
- Neurology, to identify areas of the brain causing epileptic seizures and to determine whether surgery is an option. It is also useful in diagnosing complex dementia disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Our Advantage
PET/CT is more than just equipment. The two-in-one scanner has many advantages to other imaging technologies. As a result, many other local hospitals send their patients here when they need this scan. PET/CT offers:
- Better detection, treatment and management of cancer. Our PET/CT physicians serve as consultants to the The Georgia Cancer Center tumor boards. We review a patient's history together with the results of their nuclear imaging studies to provide recommendations for optimal therapy and care management. As a result, surgeons, oncologists and other physicians can more accurately detect cancers, evaluate recurrence and determine the patient's potential response to therapy, including more effective tracking of the results of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- A clearer picture of the disease. The fused images provide far more detail in a single visit than conventional PET or CT scanners alone.
- Improved accuracy. In the past, it was more difficult to interpret the results of both tests since patient positions change from test to test, but performing both scans at one time without having to move the patient leaves less for room for error.
- Increased patient satisfaction. The patient receives both scans at the same time, increasing patient convenience.
- Better patient comfort. The Gemini Open PET/CT's wide-open design enables the physician to interact with the patient and is more comfortable for patients.
- Safe, quick and non-invasive. The test lasts an average of 30 minutes and is completely painless for the patient.
We are also one of the only hospitals in the Southeast to have a mobile, handheld PET probe available to assist surgeons during tumor resections. The intraoperative gamma probe identifies any remaining cancerous tissue so that surgeons can make sure the entire tumor is removed, particularly in complex cases where patients have scarring.
Patient Safety
PET/CT scans use only a very small amount of radioactive glucose, about the same or less than what you would receive in a computed tomography (CT) or fluoroscopy scan. The glucose is designed to travel directly to the site of active disease.
After the exam, the radioactive material safely degrades within a day or two and is free of any side effects.
Preparing for Your Procedure
Before your exam:
- If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding, tell your physician.
- You should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight except water. Certain patients may also need to be placed on a low-glucose/high-protein diet.
- If you have diabetes, your physician will want to ensure that your glucose is carefully controlled.
- We also recommend that patients refrain from heavy exercise for at least 24 hours before the exam. Exercise causes your muscles to be active and may affect how the glucose travels in your body.
During your exam:
- You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the scan. If asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.
- An intravenous (IV) line will be started in the hand or arm for injection of the radioactive glucose.
- The glucose will be injected into the IV. Following this, you will sit in a quiet room for about an hour to allow the glucose to concentrate in the area that will be scanned.
- You will need to empty your bladder prior to the start of the procedure.
- The actual scan will only take about 30 minutes. You will lie down on a table that slides into the scanner, and the scanner will move slowly over the body part being studied.
- When the scan has been completed, the IV line will be removed.
After your exam:
If you plan to travel by airplane within a few days of your PET/CT scan, make sure to inform your physician. It's possible the glucose could set off radiation detectors at the airport. Your doctor can provide you with a card that explains that you have recently undergone a PET/CT scan.