PET/CT
Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT), is a diagnostic examination where a radioactive substance is administered to the patient. This substance localizes to different areas of the body depending on changes in tissue metabolism, and is detected by the PET/CT scanner. The PET/CT scan allows doctors to evaluate a variety of diseases anywhere in the body, including the heart and brain.
PET/CT scans are most often used to detect cancer and to examine the effects of cancer therapy by characterizing biochemical changes in the cancer. This procedure can also determine whether a growth is malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous), evaluate the progression of disease, and assess the effects of clinical therapies.
In addition, PET/CT is used to evaluate patients who have memory disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease, seizure disorders that are not responsive to medical therapy and for the assessment of cardiovascular disease.