PET- CT imaging (Positron Emission Tomography - Computerized Tomography) : A brief overview

PET (positron emission tomography) is functional imaging performed tagging short lived radio isotopes produced in a cyclotron with organic molecules. The CT component of the scanner helps with attenuation correction improving image quality. The CT images help in precisely localizing lesions and clarifying confounding normal physiologic and anatomic variants. It is important to differentiate between normal physiologic uptake and abnormal or variable metabolic activity and identify artifacts. False positives in oncological imaging occur in trauma, infection and inflammation. The primary indications for FDG PET CT in Oncology are Diagnosis of malignancy and unknown primary, Staging of cancers, Restaging, Monitoring response to therapy, Radiation therapy planning, and Guiding biopsy of masses. There has been substantial evidence in the medical literature where PET CT has brought about a change in the course of the management and in several cases reduced the economic and financial burden of the disease.