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What Is a PET Scan?

Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, RN, CCRN, CPN on August 27, 2018
— Written by Brian Krans and Mariah Adcox
 Purpose
 PET scan vs. other tests
 Risks
 Preparation
 Procedure
 Follow-up and results
Definition

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that allows your
doctor to check for diseases in your body.

The scan uses a special dye containing radioactive tracers. These tracers are
either swallowed, inhaled, or injected into a vein in your arm depending on what
part of the body is being examined. Certain organs and tissues then absorb the
tracer.

When detected by a PET scanner, the tracers help your doctor to see how well
your organs and tissues are working.

The tracer will collect in areas of higher chemical activity, which is helpful
because certain tissues of the body, and certain diseases, have a higher level of
chemical activity. These areas of disease will show up as bright spots on the PET
scan.
The PET scan can measure blood flow, oxygen use, how your body uses sugar,
and much more.

A PET scan is typically an outpatient procedure. This means you can go about
your day after the test is finished.

In the United States, around 2 million PET scans are performed each year.

Why is a PET scan performed?

Your doctor may order a PET scan to inspect your blood flow, your oxygen
intake, or the metabolism of your organs and tissues. PET scans show problems
at the cellular level, giving your doctor the best view of complex systemic
diseases.

PET scans are most commonly used to detect:

 cancer
 heart problems
 brain disorders, including problems with the central nervous system (CNS)

Cancer

Cancer cells have a higher metabolic rate than noncancerous cells. Because of
this high level of chemical activity, cancer cells show up as bright spots on PET
scans. For this reason, PET scans are useful both for detecting cancer and for:

 seeing if the cancer has spread

 seeing if a cancer treatment is working
 checking for a cancer recurrence
However, these scans should be read carefully by your doctor, as it’s possible for
noncancerous conditions to look like cancer on a scan. It’s also common for solid
tumors to fail to appear on PET scans.

Heart problems

PET scans reveal areas of decreased blood flow in the heart. This is because
healthy heart tissue will take in more of the tracer than unhealthy tissue or tissue
that has decreased blood flow.

Different colors and degrees of brightness on the scan will indicate different
levels of tissue function, helping you and your doctor decide how best to move
forward. Learn more about the heart PET scan.

Brain disorders

Glucose is the main fuel of the brain. During PET scans, tracers are “attached” to
compounds such as glucose. By detecting radioactive glucose, the PET scan is
able to detect which areas of the brain are utilizing glucose at the highest rates.

Your doctor will look at the scan to see how the brain is working and to check for
any abnormalities. Learn more about the brain PET scan.

PET scans are used to help diagnose and manage many central nervous system
(CNS) disorders, including:

 Alzheimer’s disease
 depression
 epilepsy
 head trauma
 Parkinson’s disease
How does the PET scan compare to other tests?

PET scans show metabolic changes occurring at the cellular level in an organ or
tissue. This is important because disease often begins at the cellular level. CT
scans and MRIs can’t reveal problems at the cellular level.

PET scans can detect very early changes in your cells. CT scans and MRIs can
only detect changes later, as a disease alters the structure of your organs or
tissues.

Detection of illness at the cellular level gives your doctor the best view of
complex systemic diseases, such as:

 coronary artery disease (CAD)

 brain tumors
 memory disorders
 seizure disorders

In many cases, it’s possible to receive either a PET–CT or a PET–MRI scan.

 On its own, a CT scan uses special X-ray equipment to produce pictures of

the inside of the body.
 MRI scans use magnetic fields and radio frequency pulses to create
images of internal structures such as organs, soft tissues, and bone.

When either of these scans is performed in conjunction with a PET scan, they
result in what’s called image fusion. A computer combines the images from the
two scans to create a three-dimensional image, which provides more information
and allows for a more precise diagnosis.

Gallium scans are similar to PET scans in that they involve the injection of
gallium citrate, a radioactive tracer. Gallium scans are typically performed one to
three days after the tracer is administered, so it’s a multiday process.
These scans aren’t as commonly performed for the detection of cancer, though
some forms of the gallium scan are combined with newer tests such as the PET
scan.

What risks are involved with a PET scan?

The PET scan involves radioactive tracers, but the exposure to harmful radiation
is minimal. According to the Mayo Clinic, the amount of radiation in the tracer is
small, so the risks to your body are low. Still, it’s a good idea to discuss possible
risks with your doctor.

The risks of the test are also minimal in comparison to how beneficial the results
can be in diagnosing serious medical conditions.

The tracer is essentiallyglucose with the radioactive component attached. This

makes it very easy for your body to eliminate the tracers, even if you have a
history ofkidney disease ordiabetes.

People with allergies and other health conditions

It’s possible to have an allergic reaction to the tracer. People who are allergic
to iodine, aspartame, or saccharin should alert their doctor.

Those who can’t have an iodine tracer, typically receive a tracer made up of
diluted barium sweetened with saccharin.

Those most likely to have an allergic reaction to the iodine tracer include people
with:

 a history of allergic reactions to PET scans

 allergies
 asthma
 heart disease
  dehydration
 the blood cell disorders sickle cell anemia, polycythemia vera, and multiple
myeloma
 kidney disease
 a drug regimen that includes beta-blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), or interleukin-2 (IL-2)

People who are pregnant

Radiation is not considered safe for developing fetuses. If you’re pregnant or

think you may be pregnant, you should not get a PET scan.

People getting a PET–CT scan

If you’re receiving a PET–CT scan, additional tracer will be needed. This can be
harmful to people who have kidney disease or who have elevated creatinine
levels from medications they’re already taking.

Other risks

Other risks of the test include discomfort if you’reclaustrophobic or uncomfortable

with needles.

The injection may also lead to symptoms such as bleeding, bruising, or swelling.

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How do you prepare for a PET scan?

Your doctor will provide you with complete instructions for how to prepare for
your PET scan. Tell your doctor about any prescription, over-the-counter (OTC),
or supplemental medications you’re taking.
A few days before

You may be asked to refrain from strenuous physical activity, such as exercise,
in the 24 to 48 hours preceding the test.

The day before

Twenty-four hours before your appointment, you’ll be asked to stick to a low-

carbohydrate, no-sugar diet. Foods and beverages you should avoid include:

 cereal
 pasta
 bread
 rice
 milk and yogurt, whether dairy or nondairy
 fruit and fruit juices
 alcohol
 caffeinated beverages
 candy, including chewing gum and mints

Foods you can eat include meat, tofu, nuts, and nonstarchy vegetables.

Hours before

If you’re receiving anesthesia for the procedure, don’t eat or drink anything the
entire morning of your PET scan. Drink only a few sips of water if you need to
take any medications.

If you’re not receiving anesthesia, you’ll still want to refrain from eating anything
for six hours before your scan. Remember to avoid chewing gum or sucking on
hard candy, cough drops, or mints.
You’ll be able to drink water, however, and take any medications as
recommended.

You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. Because metal can interfere
with the testing equipment, you’ll also need to remove any jewelry you’re
wearing, including body-piercing jewelry.

If you’re undergoing a PET–CT, medical devices such

as pacemakers and artificial hips won’t affect your results.

However, you cannot undergo a PET–MRI with nonapproved medical devices or

metal implants.

Other considerations

You should also tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have:

 If you’re pregnant or believe you could be pregnant, tell your doctor. This test
may be unsafe for your baby.
 If you’re breastfeeding, you may need to pump and store your breast milk
24 hours prior to the procedure — you won’t be able to breastfeed for 24
hours after the test.
 If you have diabetes, you’ll get special instructions for test preparation
because fasting beforehand could affect your blood sugar levels. You’ll
likely be told to take your normal dose of insulin and eat a light meal 4
hours before you’re scheduled to receive your scan.

How is a PET scan performed?

Before the scan, you’ll get tracers through a vein in your arm, through a solution
you drink, or in a gas you inhale. Your body needs time to absorb the tracers, so
you’ll wait about an hour before the scan begins.
How long it takes for your body to fully absorb the tracer will depend on the area
of the body being scanned.

While you wait, you’ll want to limit any movement, relax, and try to stay warm. If
you’re undergoing a brain scan, you’ll want to avoid television, music, and
reading.

Next, you’ll undergo the scan, which can last anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes.
This involves lying on a narrow table attached to a PET machine, which looks like
a giant letter “O.” The table glides slowly into the machine so that the scan can
be conducted.

You’ll need to lie still during the scan. The technician will let you know when you
need to remain still. You may be asked to hold your breath for several seconds.
You’ll hear buzzing and clicking noises during the test.

When all the necessary images have been recorded, you’ll slide out of the
machine. The test is then complete.

What happens after a PET scan?

After the test, you can go about your day unless your doctor gives you other
instructions.

However, because radioactive material will remain in your body for about 12
hours, you’ll want to limit your contact with both pregnant women and infants
during this time.

Drink plenty of fluids after the test to help flush the tracers out of your system.
Generally, all tracers leave your body after two days.

Meanwhile, a trained specialist will interpret the PET scan images and share the
information with your doctor. The results are usually ready for your doctor within
two business days, and your doctor will go over the results with you at your
follow-up appointment.

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