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Positron Emission Tomography
What is it? Overview Usage Side Effects and Warnings
Answers

What is Positron Emission Tomography?

This test makes images that show activity in body tissues. A substance that gives off a tiny amount of radiation is put into your body. This substance goes to the part of you body that is most active. A machine can then detect where that substance is. PET can be done for many body parts, including:

  • Whole body
  • Brain
  • Lungs
  • Breast
  • Heart

PET Scans of the Brain
PET Scans of the Brain
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

If you are allergic to the radioactive substance given for a PET scan, you may be at risk for complications. Talk to your doctor.

A PET scan may be done for a number of reasons, including:

  • Looking for tumors or assessing tumor level of activity after treatment
  • Assessing causes of memory disorders
  • Finding the cause of seizures and helping to find treatments
  • Assessing brain metabolism in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Looking for heart disease

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you have any unusual symptoms, like a rash, itching, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms may mean that you are having an allergic reaction to the radioactive substance.

 
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