What is PET/CT?
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that allows doctors to check for disease in your body. Tracers are injected into the vein and are then highlighted under a PET scanner. These tracers allow doctors to see how well your organs and tissues are working. The PET scan is able to measure things like blood flow, oxygen use, and how your body uses sugar.
How Can I Prepare?
Dress in comfortable, warm clothing (as some scanner rooms may be cool). Avoid wearing jewelry or clothes with metal fasteners and zippers. Generally, the day before the exam patients are asked to eat a high protein diet, limit sugar intake, and avoid caffeine by only drinking water. On the day of the exam, patients are asked to only intake water and avoid eating. Specific instructions will be given when making your appointment.
What Can I Expect?
Upon arrival, our medical team will explain your procedure and answer any questions. An IV will be placed and you will be asked to wait approximately one to two hours before the scan begins. The scan takes approximately 30 minutes, during which you will lie flat on your back, without moving. A dual imaging scanner will take images of your body to detect and record the distribution of the water-based substance in your body.
Medical Imaging of Fredericksburg Brings Diagnostic Axumin® PET Scans to the Region
Fredericksburg, VA, February 18th, 2019 – Medical Imaging of Fredericksburg (MIF) is now offering the latest technology in the early detection and localization of recurrent prostate cancer with the Axumin PET/CT Scan.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests remain the most common method for measuring prostate cancer recurrences; however, the standard follow-up body and bone scans are unable to detect the exact location until PSA counts reach excessively high levels.
Anthem’s Changes Will Not Affect Medical Imaging in Our Community
Hear from CEO, Ed Swager
If you are a patient with Anthem medical insurance, you may have heard about changes to some of the requirements for medical imaging that will occur in 2018. Anthem’s new rules will require that high end outpatient imaging, like MRIs and CTs, for their fully insured patients be provided in a non-hospital setting that does not bill as a hospital.
CT scan vs. a PET scan
A CT Scan vs. a PET scan; how do they differ? CT scans and PET scans are actually very different and often serve a different diagnostic purpose. While your doctor will prescribe the scan that most effectively addresses your needs, you might be curious about how they work. Here is a quick guide to help you understand the basics.
Our Accreditation
ACR
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY
DICOE
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
