{"id":816,"date":"2026-08-05T17:09:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T17:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clients.armadamedical.com\/urg\/?page_id=816"},"modified":"2026-09-14T15:50:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T15:50:47","slug":"pet-ct","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/clients.armadamedical.com\/urg\/services\/pet-ct\/","title":{"rendered":"PET-CT"},"content":{"rendered":"

PET-CT Imaging at University Radiology<\/h1>\n

What Is FDG?<\/a> | When Is PET-CT Used?<\/a> | Xofigo\u00ae Treatment<\/a> | Flyrcado\u2122\ufe0f Injection<\/a> | PET-CT Risks<\/a> | Preparation<\/a> | What To Expect During<\/a> | Scheduling, Referrals & Insurance Coverage<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

What Is PET-CT?<\/h2>\n

A PET-CT scan uses a combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) techniques to identify changes in the body caused by disease. PET scans measure changes in metabolic activity using radioactive tracers, while CT scans look at anatomical changes. By using both technologies simultaneously, doctors can often detect and localize diseases in their early stages.<\/p>\n

A PET-CT scan is different from a traditional CT scan, which only looks at structures in the body. Often, patients have a CT scan that is followed by a PET-CT scan during the diagnosis process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"PET-CT<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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What Is FDG?<\/h2>\n

PET-CT scans use a specific radioactive material, called F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose, or FDG<\/a>. This tracer is a form of glucose (sugar) which is injected through an IV before the PET-CT scan. The PET-CT scanner shows how the body is utilizing the radioactive glucose.<\/p>\n

If there is a specific disease present, like certain cancers, the glucose will highlight the lesion as it takes more glucose in than other parts of the body. Physicians can then determine how to best treat those areas.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

When Is PET-CT Used?<\/h2>\n

PET-CT is very accurate<\/a> in showing the presence or spread of malignant tumors. For example, it is more accurate in detecting the spread of non-small cell lung cancer and recurrent colon cancer than any other imaging method currently available.<\/p>\n

PET-CT scans are also highly accurate at identifying lymphoma, melanoma, recurrent breast cancer, esophageal cancer, ovarian cancer, and tumors of the head and neck.<\/p>\n

In addition to diagnosing cancer, PET-CT can be used to:<\/p>\n