PET/CT Molecular Imaging

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) imaging have become essential diagnostic tools physicians use to reveal the presence and severity of cancers. PET/CT imaging helps physicians detect cancer, evaluate the extent of disease, select the most appropriate treatments, determine if the therapy is working, and detect any recurrent tumors. Before a PET/CT scan is performed, the patient receives an intravenous injection of radioactive glucose.

PET/CT scanner is a hybrid device that includes a single patient table for acquiring a PET scan and CT scan in sequential fashion. If the patient stays reasonably immobile between the scans, the PET and CT data are aligned and can be accurately fused.

PET/CT acquisitions is the extent of imaging that can be tailored to suit the specific indications, such as skull to mid-thighs.   The following fields of view are typically what you see:  Whole body from skull vertex through feet, Skull base to mid-thighs, or Limited to a limited region.

FDG-PET is a scintigraphic technique that provides information about glucose metabolism in the body and is a sensitive method for detecting, staging, and monitoring the effects of therapy for many malignancies. Computed tomography (CT) uses an external source of radiation to produce 3-D images that demonstrate the size, shape, and composition of organs and abnormalities within the body.

Procedure Descriptions

  • Whole body from skull vertex through feet
  • Skull base to mid-thighs

Schedule Today 

We are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call (530) 529-8280 to make an appointment.

Question about Your Exam?

If you have a question about your exam, please call our department at (530) 529-8280.

PET/CT Molecular Imaging