Procedures for PET Studies

Abstract

In this chapter, different protocols for common PET procedures are described to provide a general understanding of how a PET study is performed. Only four procedures are included, namely whole-body PET imaging with ¹⁸F-FDG, PET/CT whole-body imaging with ¹⁸F-FDG, myocardial perfusion imaging with ⁸²Rb-RbCl, and myocardial metabolic imaging with ¹⁸F-FDG. The procedures described here are generic in that there are variations in the detail of each procedure from institution to institution. Different institutions employ different techniques in immobilizing the patient on the table. Use of CT contrast agents in PET/CT is still a debatable issue, and some investigators use them, while others do not. While glucose loading is essential for myocardial ¹⁸F-FDG studies in patients with low fasting glucose levels, there are varied opinions as to the lowest limit of glucose level at which glucose loading should be provided and what amount of glucose should be given orally. In lymphoma and colorectal studies, it is desirable to have a Foley catheter secured to the patient to eliminate extraneous activity in the bladder, but perhaps it is not universally employed by all.