P.E.T. - Improving Well-Being Through Early Detection

Early detection and treatment of a disease can mean a better outcome for the patient and a significant reduction in costs to insurers. As research into various diseases continues, staying abreast of the latest technological advances becomes key to improving the treatments offered. Positron Emission Tomography (P.E.T.) is a relatively new technology currently being offered by nationally acclaimed institutions such as Sloan-Kettering and UCLA Medical Center. Because it has only recently become available in the state of Oklahoma, many physicians (including specialists) and most laypeople are not aware of the scope and range of the medical applications of this exciting new technology.

What Is P.E.T.?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is an imaging technique that assists in the diagnosis & management of many diseases. P.E.T. allows the physician to examine the whole patient at once, by producing pictures of the functions of the human body unobtainable by other imaging techniques. These images show body metabolism and other functions rather than simply the gross anatomy and structure revealed by conventional x-rays or CT scans.

Whole body P.E.T. imaging uncovers abnormalities that might otherwise go undetected and thereby guides physicians to the most appropriate treatment for the disease to which it is applied. For example, P.E.T. can detect tumors unseen by other imaging techniques, or detect Alzheimer's disease one to two years before the diagnosis would be made clinically.

How Accurate Is P.E.T.?

P.E.T. is now considered the imaging gold standard in cardiology to distinguish between myocardial scar tissue following a heart attack & living or viable myocardium. In July of2001, Medicare issued new guidelines for Myocardial viability studies using P.E.T. technology. If a cardiac nuclear medicine SPECT (Single Photon Emission Tomography) scan shows a fixed perfusion defect suggesting scar then a Cardiac FDG-P.E.T. scan is covered to assess myocardial viability.

The patient receives an intravenous injection of a radioactive tracer. The radiation exposure associated with P.E.T. is similar to that associated with conventional CT scanning. As the radioactive compound is distributed throughout the body and processed by the organ being studied, the P.E.T. scanner detects the radioactivity and shows it as an image on a video screen. The images reveal information about the chemistry and function of that organ.

How Does P.E.T. Work?

The patient receives an IV injection of a radioactive tracer. (The radiation exposure associated with P.E.T. is similar to that associated with conventional CT scanning.) As the radioactive compound is distributed throughout the body and processed by the organ being studied, the P.E.T. scanner (which has over 8,000 special crystals) detects the radioactivity and sends the information to a very advanced computer, which shows it as an image on a monitor.

The images reveal information about the chemistry and metabolic function of that organ. Here is some information that you need to know in order to evaluate how P.E.T. can help your company improve the level of care it provides and its economic efficiencies.