PET Scan- Positron Emission Tomography Scan

PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography Scan) is an imaging type test.It uses “tracer” which is a radioactive substance.It shows blood flow and structures of various working organs/tissues.

Test Details

• The patient has to avoid food intake for 4hrs-5hrs before undergoing a PET scan.
• The patient can drink water but should avoid other beverages.
• The patient will be dressed in a free gown and any ornaments, metals, plastics are removed from the patient’s body.
• A small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into the inner elbow vein (IV).
• The tracer flows into the blood and gets accumulated in the organs. The whole absorption takes about 1 hour.
• This is helpful for a radiologist to see the areas clearly and identify organ dysfunction and infection.
• PET scan is majorly used to identify/locate cancer.
• Test time depends on which body part is examined.