A (PET) scan is a powerful imaging technique that holds great promise in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, particularly cancer. A non-invasive test, PET accurately images metabolic information on the human body in a single scan, allowing your physician to examine your entire body at once.
Common PET Procedures:
Oncology
- Asses tumor aggressiveness
- Monitor success of therapy
- Early detection of recurrent tumors
- Whole-body survey for cancer that may have metastasized
- Determine benign masses form malignancies ins suspicious areas
Cardiology
- Determine what heart tissue is still alive after a suspected heart attack
- Predict the success of angioplasty or bypass surgery
Neurology
- Diagnose Alzheimer’s and other dementia
- Epilepsy-precise surgery location
- Parkinson’s Disease-diagnosis of movement disorders
Raleigh Radiology’s Board Certified Radiologist performs PET and PET/CT procedures at REX Hospital. To obtain more information on PET/CT or to schedule an appointment call REX Hospital scheduling department at 919-784-3023.
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are there radiation risks?
PET imaging involves no more radiation exposure than is routinely received in a typical CT scan. These risks are vanishingly small, while the diagnostic benefit of the scan is significant.
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What is the difference between PET and PET/CT?
A PET/CT scan uses a low level, non-diagnostic CT scan in addition to the PET scan. This can help the doctors to better localize a tumor.
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I am claustrophobic...can I still have the scan?
We will make every effort to make you as comfortable as possible. You are encouraged to bring medication to help you relax. If medication might be required, we ask that you bring someone with you to drive you home after the procedure.
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How long will the test take?
Approximately three hours.
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Will I receive the results of the scan before I leave?
No. The results of your scan will be sent via fax and mail to the physician who referred you for the scan. In most cases, those results are sent a few days after your scan.
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Can I take my medications?
You may take medications with water unless they are labeled to be taken only with food. Also, No cough drops, cough syrup, breath mints, chewing gum, or the like; not even the "sugar-free" stuff.
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Can I eat before my scan?
NO. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight except water. Also, No cough drops, cough syrup, breath mints, chewing gum, or the like; not even the "sugar-free" stuff.
Gregory A. Bortoff, MD, PhD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- Head of Computed Tomography (CT) at Rex Hospital
- BS, Cornell University
- MD, PhD, State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse
- Resident in radiology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
- Member, Radiological Society of North America
- Member, American Roentgen Ray Society
- Native of New York
Expertise in abdominal imaging, including MRI, MRA, ultrasound, oncologic imaging, and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1999
Jerry L. Watson, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- BS with honors, Johns Hopkins University
- MD, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
- Resident in radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chief of Radiology, 67th Combat Support Hospital, United States Army, Germany 1996–1998
- Native of Georgia
Expertise in abdominal imaging, including MRI, MRA, ultrasound, breast intervention, oncologic imaging, and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1999
Laura O. Thomas, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- Head of Rex Breast Care Center at Rex Hospital
- Radiologist Recruiter
- BA, Princeton University
- MD, Duke University Medical School
- Internship in internal medicine, UNC Hospitals
- Chief resident, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in women’s and abdominal imaging, Duke University Medical Center
- Native of Missouri
Expertise in breast imaging, breast intervention, abdominal imaging, oncologic imaging, and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2003
John G. “Jay” Alley, Jr, MD
Neuroradiologist
- Vice Chief of Radiology at Rex Hospital
- BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program, Columbia University, New York
- MD, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
- Co-chief resident in diagnostic radiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals
- Fellowship in neuroradiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals
- Native of North Carolina
Expertise in neuroradiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2004
Andrew G. Moran, MD
Nuclear Medicine Radiologist
- Head of Nuclear Medicine Radiology at Rex Hospital
- BS, Idaho State University
- MD, Utah School of Medicine
- Residency, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowships in body imaging and nuclear radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, Society of Nuclear Medicine
- Native of California
Expertise in abdominal imaging, oncologic imaging, nuclear medicine and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2006
Kirk Peterson, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- BS, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University-Tallahassee, FL
- MD, University of South Carolina School of Medicine
- Resident in radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, Radiological Society of North America
- Member, American Roentgen Ray Society
- Member, American College of Radiology
- Native of Florida
Expertise in abdominal imaging, including MRI, MRA, and ultrasound
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2010
NPO (nothing by mouth) minimum 5 hrs (except water) Try to maintain a low-carb diet the day before the scan. Do not exercise the day before or the day of the PET scan. Do not have any gum or hard candy the day before or the day of the scan. Do not take any diabetic medications the day of the scan.
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