PET/CT scan:
PET/CT scan is a type of imaging test that combines PET (positron emission tomography) and CT (computed tomography) techniques. PET scans use a radioactive form of glucose to measure the cellular functioning of the body part being scanned. A CT scan takes a large number of x-rays, the information from which is analyzed and assembled by a computer to create a three-dimensional image of the body part being studied. When both PET and CT scanning are performed simultaneously, information about function and structure is obtained for more detail and accuracy.
Scan usually lasts 3 hours. The patient arrives having fasted for 6 hours prior. The patient will be injected with the radioactive glucose and then lie quiet in a dim room for 90 minutes. The patient will empty their bladder before lying on the scan table. The scanner is very similar looking to a CT scanner. The scans are typically 45 to 60 minutes long. Lying still is important for quality images to be obtained.
HIDA Scan:
A HIDA scan is an exam done to evaluate the function of the gallbladder, it also can be referred to as cholescintigraphy. The patient will come for the exam having fasted for 6 hours prior to the study as well as stop taking (6 hours prior) all narcotic pain medication if any has been prescribed to them. The patient will be injected with a tracer and then lie flat on a scan table while a gamma camera takes serial (continuous) images of the tracer to determine if it fills the gallbladder. Once the tracer has filled the gallbladder another drug (cholecystokinin) will be given to make the gallbladder contract and empty, more serial images are taken to help determine how much tracer empties out. Each imaging sequence is about 40 minutes long. This exam can help determine blockages of bile ducts as well as differentiate between chronic versus actue cholecystitis.
