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PET Scan

PET Scan

PET Scan in Northwest Montana

What is Positron Emission Tomography?

Positron emission tomography, also called a PET scan, is a nuclear medicine exam that produces a three dimensional image of functional processes in the body. A PET scan uses a small amount of a radioactive drug to show differences between healthy and diseased issue. The diagnostic images produced by PET are used to evaluate a variety of diseases.

The board-certified radiologists with Northwest Imaging have extensive experience performing safe and accurate PET scans. For more information on PET scans, contact Northwest Imaging today! We perform diagnostic testing at our many Montana radiology clinics including Browning, Townsend, Libby, Kalispell, Plains, Whitefish, Hot Springs, Chester, Shelby, Conrad, Cut Bank, Lakeside, Columbia Falls, Eureka, Fort Benton, Polson, Malta, Rnan, and Choteau.

What are some common uses of PET Scans?

  • to detect cancer
  • to evaluate the heart for:
    • blood flow
    • signs of coronary artery disease
    • heart function
  • to evaluate the brain for:
    • memory disorders
    • brain tumors
    • seizure disorders

How should I prepare for a PET Scan?

PET is usually done on an outpatient basis. You should:

  • wear comfortable clothes
  • not eat for four to six hours before your scan
  • drink plenty of water
  • consult with your doctor regarding the use of medications before the test

What should I expect during this exam?

  • You receive an intravenous (IV) injection of the radioactive substance. However for some patients, you may be asked to inhale the substance.
  • The radioactive substance will then take approximately 30 to 90 minutes to travel through your body and be absorbed by the tissue under study. During this time, you will be asked to rest quietly and avoid significant movement or talking, which may alter the localization of the administered substance.
  • You will be positioned on the PET scanner table and be asked to lie still during your exam.
  • Scanning takes 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Some patients who are being evaluated for heart disease may undergo a stress test in which PET scans are obtained while they are at rest, and again after undergoing the administration of a pharmaceutical to alter the blood flow to the heart.
  • Usually, there are no restrictions on daily routine after the test. You should drink plenty of fluids to flush the radioactive substance from your body.

What will I experience during a PET Scan?

  • If given an intravenous injection, you will feel like a slight prick. However, you will not feel the substance in your body.
  • You will be made as comfortable as possible on the exam table before you are positioned in the PET scanner for the test.
  • You will hear buzzing or clicking sounds during the exam.
  • Patients who are claustrophobic may feel some anxiety while positioned in the scanner.
  • Some patients find it uncomfortable to hold still in one position for more than a few minutes.

PET Scans at Northwest Imaging

For more information on PET scans, please feel free to contact the team at Northwest Imaging. Our radiologists are board-certified by the American Board of Radiology and have extensive experience conducting safe and accurate PET scans. Give us a call at 406-751-7519. We perform PET scans at many of our office locations throughout Montana.