Positron emission tomography (PET) and PET-CT imaging

• The technique introduces a radioisotope (substance that emits radiations) into the body that emits positive charges. The radioisotope is injected into the blood circulation from where it is taken up by tissues. The system in the machine detects positive charges emitted by the isotope and creates an image.
• This imaging technique is expensive as compared to other techniques and still not used routinely in detecting pancreatic cancer.
• PET- CT combination technique is being used at few centers for staging of pancreatic cancer and is reported to be more sensitive and useful than other techniques.⁹
• PET-CT imaging may be requested in specific clinical circumstances.