What is the difference between a pet scan and a ct scan?

Usually done togethr: A pet scan measures the uptake of glucose. The uptake of glucose is increased in most cancers. A ct scan is a basically a series of xrays over the area of interest which provides superb anatomic detail. If a ct scan picks up a mass, it may not be able to tell if it is cancerous or benign. Combining the information with the pet scan allow for superior sensitivity and specificity in detecting tumors.

Metabolism / Anatomy: A pet scan is an image study that assess glucose metabolism for different tissues in your body using gamma photons while a ct scan is an anatomic picture of your body that reveals size, shape and intensities of organs using x-rays. Pet scans have several indications, including: cancer, cognitive disorders and heart perfusion stress and viability.

Anatomic/physiologic: Pet scan involves intravenous injection of radio tracer usually f18 fdg.Imaging of whole body occurs for localization of areas of increased glucose metabolism. Malignant tumors usually most active.Ct scan involves x-ray and performs anatomic imaging of parts of body usually head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, or extremities. Pet?Ct combines imaging modalities for anatomic localization of areas of uptake