Whats the difference between a PET-CT scan and a CT scan?

Is the CT component of a PET-CT the same as a regular CT scan. I just had a PET-CT and am now being asked to have a regular CT scan.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and CT (Computed Tomography) scans are both standard imaging tools that physicians use to pinpoint disease states in the body. A PET scan demonstrates the biological function of the body before anatomical changes take place, while the CT scan provides information about the body's anatomy such as size, shape and location. By combining these two scanning technologies, a PET/CT scan enables physicians to more accurately diagnose and identify cancer, heart disease and brain disorders.

http://www.petscaninfo.com/

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/Compu...

A PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) utilizes a CT scanner for their studies, but they are far different. They inject a radioisotope (radioactive tag) prior to your PET scan, which allows a selected organ to be highlighted during the CT portion. This test is performed by a Nuclear Medicine technologist who is also trained in CT, and it is a functional test, rather than diagnostic. It evaluates whatever organ they are looking at and how it works, as opposed to a standard CT where most of the time they are just looking at anatomical structure.

Similar CT machines are used, and it could be that the doctor wants to evaluate an anotomical structure in further detail after viewing your PET scan. If something suspicious was found on the PET, the doctor will be able to confirm or deny the existence of a potential positive result with more testing. He's probably just trying to get as much information as possible before he follows up with you - a very good thing.

Best of luck!

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