PET Scans

Question 1

What is PET scans?

Answer 1

PET scanning is a type of nuclear medicine imaging. Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose and determine the severity of a variety of brain diseases, including cancers and neurological disorders.

Question 2

What does PET scans do?

Answer 2

A radioactive substance is injected into the patient. A PET scan detects these rays and turns them into computer images of brain activity. These scans are used to examine functions such as blood flow, oxygen use and glucose metabolism, to help doctors evaluate how well the brain is functioning.

Question 3

PET scan - Strength

Answer 3

It is more sensitive than other scanning techniques and can highlight abnormalities and illness more successfully.

Question 4

PET scan - Limitation

Answer 4

Using a radioactive tracer involves some risk to the patient.