Quite literally pet tomography is positron emission tomography so really it can be referred to as pet without having to include the additional word tomography since it is part of the acronym. However the additional word is often retained in order to ensure the correct level of clarity is maintained in the context of a conversation or publication.

PET tomography is a clinical test that uses a special camera to detect a radio labelled isotope. This has to be introduced into the body in an appropriate form dependant on the type of investigation that is being carried out.

The first stage in pet tomography is to introduce the radio labelled tracer;  F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose is commonly used

“A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is done to:

Study the brain’s blood flow and metabolic activity. A PET scan can help a doctor find nervous system problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, transient ischemic attack (TIA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s disease, stroke, and schizophrenia.

• Find changes in the brain that may cause epilepsy.
• Find some cancers, especially lymphoma or cancers of the breast, brain, lung, colon, or prostate. In its early stages cancer may show up more clearly on a PET scan than on a CT scan or an MRI.
• See how advanced a cancer is and whether it has spread to another area of the body (metastasized). It is often necessary to do both CT and PET scans to evaluate cancer.
• Help a doctor choose the best treatment for cancer. PET scans may also be done to see whether surgery can be done to remove a tumor.
• Find poor blood flow to the heart, which may mean coronary artery disease.
• Find damaged heart tissue, especially after a heart attack.
• Help choose the best treatment, such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery, for a person with heart disease.”

Source

I am enjoying learning about this new and interesting field in the pharmaceutical industry which I haven’t worked in previously. However I think the best thing about manufacturing for pet tomography scans is that I can get home every night for the children after school.

Paul Palmer

A Qualified person working in the field of positron emission tomography, commonly known as pet tomography

Categories: Buffalo Heart Health
Tags: