Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
PET CENTER
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PET, or Positron Emission Tomography, has greatly enhanced the ability to diagnose many diseases in the earliest stages, helping physicians improve treatment for their patients and ultimately, extending and saving lives.
The Emory PET Center is a modern, 3,000 square foot facility within Emory University Hospital, established in 1993 as a resource for the researchers and physicians of Emory University School of Medicine.
PET uses special radiological pharmaceuticals to trace abnormalities in the targeted area of the body. A PET scanner records these signals and transforms them into images that illustrate the function and chemistry of the area.
The radiopharmaceuticals, or "tracers," are labeled with isotopes. These isotopes mimic natural substances such as sugars (glucose), water, proteins, and oxygen. Once injected, these tracers travel through the body emitting signals and quickly collect in the organs targeted for examination. If an area in an organ is abnormal, the signals will be stronger than in the surrounding tissue.
CT scans and x-rays can show images of what an organ or tissue look like, but PET images contain information about the organ. As a result, PET will often reveal more about the status of a disease than other types of imaging.
Patients at Emory Healthcare now have access to the latest development in medical imaging technology with the installation of a PET/CT, the first of its kind in Georgia. The state-of-the-art scanner combines positron emission tomography (PET) and high-speed, multi-slice computerized tomography (CT) imaging. The integrated PET/CT scanner joins the best of both imaging modalities in one system. A CT shows the anatomical location of the abnormality seen on PET. With this combined technology, we can now detect cancer in its earliest form, pinpoint the exact location and determine the best way to remove the tumor and treat the affected area.
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STAFF
For biographical information on any of these physicians go to "Find a Physician" in the left menu bar.
- David Schuster, MD - Clinical Director, PET Center
- Raghu Halkar, MD - Chief Nuclear Medicine and PET/Emory University Hospital
- Scott Bartley, MD
PET Scientists
- Ernest V. Garcia, PhD - Professor of Radiology; Vice Chairman for Research
- David Cooke, MSEE - Assistant Professor of Radiology
- Ronald Crowe, BS - Associate Chief, PET Nuclear Pharmacist
- Tracy Faber, PhD - Associate Professor of Radiology
- Russell Folks, BS - Associate
- Mark Goodman, PhD - Professor of Radiology; Director, Cyclotron/Radiochemistry Lab; Director, PET Chemistry; Director, Division of Radiological Sciences
- John R. Votaw, PhD - Associate Professor of Radiology
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Emory University Hospital
(Emory Campus Map)
1364 Clifton Rd., NE.
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
Valet Parking is recommended and is located at the main hospital entrance.
Appointments (404) 712-4453
Fast Track Admissions (404) 686-5270 or (800) 640-9293
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PROCEDURE
Patient preparation:
- Call "Fast Track Admissions" (404-686-5270 or 800-640-9293) to register
- Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time
- Do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to the scan (except water)
- Any medications should be taken with water only
- You can expect to be in the PET center from 2 - 3 hours.
- The actual scan itself takes approximately 1 hour
- The PET Center is located in the Nuclear Medicine Division of Emory University Hospital.
The scan process:
- To begin the procedure, a small amount of radioactive glucose (or similar tracer) is injected into your bloodstream.
- After the injection, you will wait approximately an hour while the injection material is distributed throughout your body.
- You will then be asked to lie on a table that passes slowly through the scanner.
- You should feel fine. There are no side effects from the injected tracer.
The studies are read shortly after the PET scan is complete and patients can expect reports to be available to their physicians the next day.
PET provides unique diagnostic information that enhances a physician's ability to:
- Diagnose disease in the earliest stages, before detectable with imaging techniques such as x-rays, resulting in improved treatment and outcomes.
- Manage patient therapy and improve treatment by monitoring response to it and providing early feedback on its effectiveness.
- In some cases, replace multiple diagnostic procedures with a single exam.
- Help predict the prognosis for surgical procedures to eliminate those that won't benefit the patient.
- Reduce healthcare costs with early diagnosis and treatment that eliminates unnecessary procedures and hospitalization.
- Identify hidden cancer cells (metastases), that may affect the course of treatment and therefore change patient management.
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FORMS
Procedures should be ordered thought your referring physician. Please have the doctor's office print the form, fill it out and fax it to our office.
OUTPATIENT PROCEDURE ORDER FOR RADIOLOGY PET EXAM
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is a PET scan?
P.E.T. (PET) means Positron Emission Tomography. Positron is an anti-matter of electrons. Positron emitting radionuclides include carbon-11 oxygen-15 nitrogen-13 and flourine-18. These atoms are physiologically important because they form carbohydrates, proteins and fatty acids. Positron-emitting radionuclides can be used in labeling physiologically important molecules. With the help of these labeled molecules it is possible to access and get an image representing function of the body. Therefore, PET scans provide functional information that can help determine if there is malignant tumor activity in an organ and the condition of tissue in an area.
Q. What is PET/CT?
This state-of-the-art scanner combines positron emission tomography (PET) and high-speed, multi-slice computerized tomography (CT) imaging. The integrated PET/CT scanner joins the best of both imaging modalities in one system. A CT shows the anatomical location of the abnormality seen on PET.
Q. How can I get a PET scan?
First, you need your primary care physician or a specialist to request PET scan. PET has been available for the last 20 years. For the last two years, Medicare and many third party insurance companies have reimbursed for some conditions such as staging of lung cancer, following up of lymphoma/melanoma and accessing solitary pulmonary nodule found in chest x-rays. Many insurance companies and Medicare also reimburse for myocardial viability detection.
Q. What is a radioisotope?
A radioisotope is an element that is unstable and uses some radiation to achieve a stable state. Using the PET procedure, we can find out what the radioisotope is and where it is located in a living organ.
Q. How much radiation is used in a Positron Emission Tomography scan?
A Positron Emission Tomography scan using 18-fluorodeoxyglucose, will generate a small amount of radiation that is comparable to what you would get by living in Denver, Colorado for two years.
Q. Is it necessary to use radiation or can something else be used?
When performing Positron Emission Tomography, the use of positron emitting radioisotope is a necessity. The radiation dose that you receive is negligible. The benefits of the information that can be used to treat you far outweigh any slight risk from the small amount of radiation administered.
Q.Can I eat before or after the procedure?
If you are getting an FDG Scan, you should be fasting for 6 hours. This is because FDG is a glucose. If you eat or drink anything that contains glucose it will compete with the FDG, resulting in poor quality imaging.
Q. Will I get sick from the radiation?
No, the radiation is so low you will not feel it.
Q. Can I work after receiving the scan?
Yes, certainly.
Q. Can I go around other people after receiving radiation?
Yes, certainly. 18-FDG has a half-life of 110 minutes and most of it will be excreted through urine in about 1 hour.
Q. How long will the radiation stay in my system?
The radiation will not stay in your system more than 8 hours.
Q. How soon will I get the results from the scan?
The studies are read shortly after the PET scan is completed and patients can expect reports to be available to their physician the next day.
Q. Is there a follow-up after the scan?
No.
Q. Can I drive or operate machinery after the scan?
Yes.
Q. What information do I need to bring with me?
You should try to bring all prior CT, PET and MRI scans as well as relevant medical history.
Q. How long does the procedure take?
The procedure will take around 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
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