Patient Management

Fusing PET and CT images more accurately localizes metabolic activity to the appropriate anatomic structure or location, such as a lymph node, a bowel loop, or a vocal cord.
For differentiation of tumor versus necrosis or scar tissue, knowing which part of a mass has viable tumor instead of necrosis or scar tissue assists in targeting the right areas to sample or remove.
- Example: Patient with suspected recurrent rectal carcinoma where there is typically scar tissue at the site of a previous AP resection. CT alone is often unable to determine if a tumor is present, and if present, CT may not distinguish the actual viable tumor focus from surrounding scar tissue. PET/CT can clearly show hypermetabolic tumor focus within an otherwise hypometabolic region of scar tissue, enabling a high-yield directed needle biopsy or open biopsy.
Radiation oncologists need maximum information for radiation therapy planning, and PET/CT data files can be imported into many radiation therapy planning computers. For example, IMRT can deliver precise amounts of radiation to complex 3-D volumes, fully utilizing PET/CT datasets.
IV contrast may or may not be used with PET/CT, depending on the studies being completed. PET/CT scanners have advanced imaging algorithms that allow for the use of IV contrast when needed.

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