Positron Emission Tomography
Positron Emission Tomography
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) /pɒzɪtrɒn ɪˈmɪʃən təˈmɒɡrəfi/ is a nuclear medicine functional imaging technique that is used to observe metabolic processes in the body. The system detects pairs of gamma rays emitted indirectly by a positron-emitting radionuclide (tracer), which is introduced into the body on a biologically active molecule.
Etymology
The term "Positron Emission Tomography" is derived from the process of positron emission, which is a type of beta decay. "Tomography" comes from the Greek words "tomos" meaning "slice" or "section" and "graphia" meaning "describing".
Procedure
In a PET scan, a radioactive substance is injected into the body. This substance is absorbed by the particular organs or tissues being examined. The PET scanner then detects and records the energy given off by the tracer substance and, with the aid of a computer, this energy is converted into three-dimensional pictures. A computer translates the images into a series of slices that can be viewed from any angle.
Applications
PET scans are used to analyze the biochemical functioning of the brain, heart, and other organs. They are also used to diagnose certain health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and brain disorders.
Related Terms
See Also
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Positron Emission Tomography
- Wikipedia's article - Positron Emission Tomography
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