What is Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography
(PET/CT) Scanning? Positron emission tomography, also called PET
imaging or a PET scan, is a type of nuclear medicine imaging.
Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small
amounts of radioactive material to diagnose or treat a variety
of diseases, including many types of cancers, heart disease and
certain other abnormalities within the body. Nuclear medicine or
radionuclide imaging procedures are noninvasive and, with the
exception of intravenous injections, are usually painless
medical tests that help physicians diagnose medical conditions.
These imaging scans use radioactive materials called
radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers. Depending on the type of
nuclear medicine exam you are undergoing, the radiotracer is
either injected into a vein, swallowed or inhaled as a gas and
eventually accumulates in the organ or area of your body being
examined, where it gives off energy in the form of gamma rays.
This energy is detected by a dev