You’ve all heard jokes about “CAT” scans (Computerized Axial Tomography, or CT Scans). So when you hear about PET scans, don’t think that means radiologists are now expanding scans from just cats to include all pets — dogs, cats, turtles, etc.

Positron Emission Tomography (P.E.T.) is the ability to produce highly detailed images of the human body’s metabolic functions. P.E.T. is fast becoming the diagnostic tool of choice for many things, from cancer to cardiology to certain neurological disorders.

Until recently, this imaging service was provided in a very limited number of large centers throughout the U.S. With the opening of new facilities that can provide the necessary radiopharmaceuticals, P.E.T. is becoming more readily available.
Advanced Medical Imaging (AMI) in Bremerton recently added this powerful diagnostic tool to its menu of services. P.E.T. is now available locally via mobile van, on the Harrison Silverdale Campus.

How does P.E.T. work? The most common type of P.E.T. scan works by attaching a positron-emitting tracer, Fluorine-18, to a glucose analog, to form FDG, or F18-Fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose. The body handles FDG similar to glucose. Since cancer cells, for instance, use more glucose than benign tumors or scar tissue, P.E.T. can help tell whether a lesion seen on CT or MRI is cancerous or benign, and sometimes can see lesions not seen on CT or MRI. It can also help gauge how effective cancer treatment has been. There are also cardiac and neurological applications for P.E.T.

What happens during a P.E.T. scan? The patient is injected with the radiopharmaceutical, and then rests in a recliner in one end of the mobile van. After an hour, they are asked to use the restroom (in the imaging center again). After emptying the bladder, they lie down and simply rest while being scanned. The machine records the signals the tracers emit as they journey through the human body and collect in the various organs targeted for examination. A computer reassembles the signals into actual images, which are viewed by radiologists specially trained in the interpretation of P.E.T. scans.

Dr. Howard Douds, the only radiologist in Kitsap County who is Board Certified in Nuclear Medicine, works with AMI and has a special love for nuclear medicine exams, which include P.E.T. scans. He recently attended the P.E.T. training course at Case Western Hospital, University of Cleveland. Dr. Victor Leen, also with AMI, attended intensive training in P.E.T. at UCLA. Both radiologists provide on-site interpretation of the P.E.T. scans. Any borderline cases will also be reviewed by experts at U.C.L.A.
P.E.T. scans must be ordered by a physician, and there are at this time, only certain applications for P.E.T. which have been approved for reimbursement by insurance carriers. Medicare will review this list of approved uses this month, and may expand its coverage (which is often followed by other non-government insurance companies) as more data is gathered.

If you would like to visit the mobile P.E.T. van, there will be a tour on Wednesday, Sept.19, between the hours of noon and 1:30, or 5 and 7 p.m.