Referral Relations : MUSC Molecular Imaging and Therapy Offers State-of-the-art PET/CT Imaging for Oncology, Neurology and Cardiology

PET/CT

• PET detects metabolic activity of actively changing cells while CT provides a detailed image of internal anatomy
• Combination of PET and CT allows physician to more easily locate disease in the body

Benefits

• Earlier diagnosis of tumors
• Accurate staging and localization of malignancies
• Precise treatment and monitoring
• Patients avoid unnecessary procedures
• Early detection of recurrent cancer, revealing tumors that might otherwise be obscured by scar tissue from previous procedures or radiation therapy
• Better patient outcomes

Clinical Indications

• Cancer
• • Assess tumor aggressiveness
  • Monitor success of therapy 
  • Provide a whole-body survey for cancer that may have spread
  •  Identify benign and malignant growths
• Cardiac
• • Determine how much heart tissue is still alive following a suspected heart attack
  • Locate inflammation in certain disease, such as sarcoidDetermine how much heart tissue is still alive following a suspected heart attack
• Brain Disorders
• • Diagnose Alzheimer’s and other dementia
  • Locate epileptic seizures prior to surgery

What Patients Can Expect

• Patients receive an intravenous injection of a radioactive glucose, then rest for 45-90 minutes while the glucose is distributed throughout the body.
• Patients lie on a table as it slowly passes through the scanner.
• The scan can take 15-75 minutes.
• All patients receive a phone call from the PET/CT nurse prior to their appointment to address any questions or concerns.
• PET/CT is offered in a patient-centered suite including:
• • Private, comfortable prep rooms
  • Dim lighting
  • Warmed blankets
  • Computers with internet access
  • Large panel TV in waiting room