Dr.

Samir H Khraisat
Medics Index Member

AFIA HEALTH CENTRE

SOLUTIONS

.Frequently asked questions about PET/CT

 What is a positron emission tomography (PET)?

Is a nuclear medicine imaging technique, which produces a three-

dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body.

 Is PET safe?

The risks associated with a PET scan are very minimal.

The quantity of radiation is low and the FDG degrades quickly, so
that no detectable radioactivity is presented after several hours. In
addition to the radioactive decomposition, the remaining FDG Is
eliminated from the body through urine. Family members are not at
risk for exposure since greater than 90% of radioactivity has left
the body or decomposed before the patient has left the centre.

 What is a radiopharmaceutical?

A radiopharmaceutical is a radioactive drug. The most commonly

used PET radiopharmaceutical is FDG, which is radioactive form
of glucose (Sugar). Radiopharmaceuticals are produced by
physicists and chemists.

 What is FDG?

2- Deoxy- 2 –[F18] fluoro- D – Glucose, or FDG is a type glucose

( Sugar) and is the most common radiopharmaceutical used in
 PET. To begin PET Procedure, a small amount of glucose is
injected in the bloodstream. There is no danger to you from the
injection.
Glucose is a common substance that every cell in your body needs
in order to function. Diabetic patients do not need to worry, it
would take 1.000.000 doses of FDG to equal the glucose in 1 tea
spoon of sugar.

FDG has a half – life of approximately 110 min, so it is quickly

expelled from your body. FDG must pass multiple quality control
measures before it is used for any patient injection.

 What happens after my scan?

After your scan, you will get up from the scanner bed and cheek
out with the receptionist you will be notified when your results will
be available.

 Are there potential side effects to a PET scan?

No, there are no side effects to having a PET scan performed.

 How often should I have a PET scan?

If you are under a physician's care, you should follow your

physician's recommendations for the frequency of having a PET
scan.

 Are there alternatives to PET?

Yes and No. There are examinations that can be performed.

However, there is no other metabolic (Biological) scanning
technique other than PET at this time. CT and MRI, for example,
both examine the anatomical (physical) structure. There for, they
can be useful in determining the size and location of a tumor,
however, neither of them can determine whether the tumor is still
active.
 How dose a PET scan differs from CT or MRI scans?

CT and MRI scans are anatomic imaging modalities, which mean

they look at the size and shape of organs and body structures.
A PET scan is a metabolic imaging modality, which means it looks
at function. The information collected from a PET scan is
different from any other test that is available.

 Is a PET scan painless?

The only pain involved is the needle prick when you receive
radiopharmaceutical injection which does not differ from any other
type of injection.

What is PET used to diagnose?

PET is used to diagnose and stage patients with cancer, as well as

patients with certain brain and heart disorders.

Can I eat or drink before my scan?

This will depend on the type of study, but typically, you will be
asked not to eat or drink anything 4-6 hours before your scan.

For more information about PET/CT or to make an

appointment, please call 06/4622280, 06/4656323.
Or 0795666998, 0777941177.
 Dr. Samir H Khraisat
Medics Index Member
http://medicsorg.tripod.com/drsamirkhraisat.htm
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