Positron emission tomography, or PET, produces an image showing the function of the body's organs and tissues.  Thus a PET scan shows physiologic images rather than anatomic images.  Nuclear medicine physicians who are specially trained in PET interpret these exams. 

PET was developed at Mallinckrodt Institute in the early 1970s and the first useable PET scanner was built here.  So, our nuclear medicine physicians are experts in PET imaging.  In fact, our PET specialists have more than 145 years collectively of experience. And more than 2,100 comprehensive PET exams are performed here annually.

When you undergo a PET scan, you will receive (either an injection or an inhalant) a radioactive substance called a radiopharmaceutical agent.  During the PET scan, this substance will settle or localize into the area of the body to be scanned.  The radiopharmaceutical agent emits subatomic particles that are picked up by the PET scanner.  The PET image is made up of different colors and brightness that represent levels of function within a particular organ or tissue.

The radioactivity from the injection or inhalant is short-lived and does not affect your body's normal functions.  After the exam is completed, you will be instructed to drink plenty of fluids so that the radioactive substance can be flushed from your body.

The information gained by PET imaging extends the physician's understanding of basic biological processes and holds great promise for improved diagnosis of disease, such as cardiac disease,  neurological disorders, and many types of cancer

For more information about PET, follow this link to the patient information web site hosted by The Radiological Society of North America and the American College of Radiology.  Or click here to be directed to the Mallinckrodt Institute Division of Nuclear Medicine's web site.

If you are a physician who is interested in a clinical nuclear medicine fellowship, click here to learn more about the program.