what is a PET/CT scan?

PET is short for Positron Emission Tomography.

It uses radioactive substances to look at the way organs work in a unique way.

Most of the PET tests performed at Mount Vernon involve injection of FDG, a relative of glucose.

The scanner looks at cross sections through the body, so the resultant images may be compared directly with the multislice CT or MRI scans performed in the department or elsewhere.

Please note a CT scan is done as part of the PET test to aid the radiologist in diagnosis.

However, this is not a full CT scan and typically takes under a minute.

We have installed a second PET/CT system, the GE Medical Systems Discovery VCT, which will enable new directions including vascular and cardiac imaging with both modalities. At the same time the Suite will be enlarged and redesigned to make for greater patient comfort and a better working environment for staff. We hope that we will keep our place at the forefront of PET/CT imaging.