Guide To Positron Emission Tomography Scans (PET Scans)

A positron emission tomography scan (PET scan) is a type of imaging test used for diagnosing numerous diseases in an individual's body. This scan highlights parts of the body where there are increased rates of certain chemical activities. A PET scan can tell a patient's doctor about how their body uses oxygen, how their body processes glucose, and about their blood flow. These scans can give a patient's doctor insight into problems occurring at the cellular level. This helps them identify and evaluate certain complex systemic conditions and diseases, including heart problems and brain disorders. Around two million PET scans are performed annually in the United States.