Ascot Radiology is proud to present their new, state-of-the-art GE Discovery 600 PET CT scanner with Time of Flight technology and added respiratory gating for more sensitive and accurate detection of tumours. The CT scanning component of this machine also includes new technology that significantly reduces the radiation dose to the patient.
What is PET CT?
A PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan is a diagnostic imaging tool that produces pictures of any abnormal molecular cell activity in the body, often before anatomical changes may be visible.
It can detect:
Cancers
Brain disorders: such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and epilepsy
Heart disease.
CT (Computed Tomography) uses a combination of x-rays and high-powered computers to obtain cross-sectional images of the body. The combination of PET and CT produces a highly sensitive imaging device able to detect early stages of disease often undetectable by CT alone or by other imaging procedures such as MRI.
PET CT scans are simple, painless and fast, offering patients and their families life-saving information that helps doctors detect and diagnose disease early and begin treatment quickly. It can also provide much more specific information, distinguishing between benign and malignant disorders for example, unlike other medical imaging techniques such as ultrasound, x-rays, MRI or CT that merely confirm the presence of a mass.
PET CT can also help doctors monitor the treatment of disease. For example, chemotherapy leads to changes in cellular activity and these changes can be seen on PET CT scans long before any structural changes can be measured by other imaging techniques. These scans give doctors another tool to evaluate treatments, perhaps even leading to a modification in treatment before any other imaging is done.
How does PET CT work?
When disease is present, the biochemistry of cells and tissues changes. In cancer, for example, cells begin to grow at a much faster rate. A PET CT scan begins with an injection of a glucose-based radiopharmaceutical called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) that is manufactured at the cyclotron in Wellington. The FDG travels through the body and eventually settles in any organs or tissues that have an increased metabolic activity, such as an area of rapidly growing cells.
During the scan, the patient lies on a table that moves slowly through the PET CT scanner. The cameras in the PET scanner detect gamma rays emitted by patient from the FDG. It converts these gamma rays into electrical signals and then into digital images. If there are any areas of increased metabolic activity, such as a cancer, the signals will be stronger, since more of the FDG will have been absorbed in these areas.
The CT component of the scan adds anatomical information to the PET scan, separating the bladder from other pelvic structures for example, and providing very accurate information on the location of any disease in the body.
Are there any risks associated with PET CT?
PET CT is a very safe and routine procedure with millions of scans done around the world without complication.
The radiation dose is small and the FDG will be out of your system by the end of the day.
However, because it takes a few hours to leave your system, we suggest you minimise contact with others (especially children and pregnant women) for 4 hours following your scan.
In brief:
PET scans give information about the body’s chemistry that is not available with other imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, x-rays, MRI & CT alone.
The combination of CT scanning with PET scanning, provides anatomical information and the exact location of any disease present.
Because PET CT scanning often reveals disease much earlier than other diagnostic imaging techniques, it can help doctors diagnose disease more quickly and often alter the course of treatment.
Preparation for a PET CT:
A detailed instruction sheet and questionnaire will be sent to you when you make your appointment. You can also download a pdf of these instructions by clicking one of the links below.
Please note: The PET CT scanner is located on the ground floor at our Ascot Central rooms,
7 Ellerslie Racecourse Drive, Remuera - right next door to Ascot Hospital. Click here to see a map of the area.
