What is a 'PET scan'?

What is a 'PET scan'?

Hossein Jadvar (Doctor) gives expert video advice on: How does a PET scan work?; How should I prepare for a PET scan?; Why do I have to fast before a PET scan? and more...

PET stands for positron emission tomography. It is an imaging system that is very similar to a CT scan from outside, but the patient is administered with a positron labelled radiotracer. The most important positron radio labeled tracer today is F18 fluorodeoxyglucose, or FDG, which is a glucose analogue. When the patient is administered FDG, we take images through a PET scan to see a general look of where FDG distributes.