Definition: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging method which can measure the concentration and movement of a positron emitting isotope in living tissue. PET images show the chemical functioning of an organ or tissue, The PET scanner uses radiation emitted from the patient to develop images. Each patient is given a minute amount of a radioactive pharmaceutical that closely resembles a natural substance (for example, glucose, that the body uses for energy) used by the body. Gamma radiation produced from the positron-emitting substanceis detected by the PET scanner and shows in fine detail the metabolism of substance in the area of the body being studied.
Also Known As: PET
Alternate Spellings: pet
Examples:
The patient underwent a PET scan of the brain which showed the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
