United Radiology strives to provide our services in a caring and convenient process for both the patient and the physician. We:
•
provide reports to the referring Physician within 24-48 hours .
•
schedule evening and Saturday appointments.
•
provide an easy to follow one page referral form.
•
allow fax scheduling so you will not have to call.
•
provide easy access to our Radiologists for any questions you may have.
Scheduling and ordering the right study is easy using the chart below:
Cardiac PET
Rubidium-82
Cardiac Perfusion
Myocardial perfusion is a test that assesses the blood flow (perfusion) to the heart muscle (myocardial). The procedure is similar to the nuclear cardiology studies: Thallium Stress Test or Cardiolite Stress Test.
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Atypical Chest Pain
- Abnormal EKG
- Evaluate the patient after PTCA
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Analysis of cardiac symptom presentations
- Chronic Ischemia
- Post myocardial infarction syndrome
- Hyperlipidemia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Myocardial Infarction
- Acute and chronic vascular disease
Persistent symptoms post negative SPECT
Identification of areas at risk of myocardial necrosis when compared with FDG viability study
Cardiac PET
FDG Viability
FDG, PET is used in cardiology to assess the viability of the heart.
Myocardial viability studies with FDG PET should be performed in patients with ischemic heart disease and left ventricular function who are potential candidates for coronary revascularization.
- Diagnosis of partial epilepsy
- Localizing seizure focus
- Predicting surgical outcome
- Early diagnosis of dementia
- Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
Disease
PET for refractory seizures is covered if it is permitted for presurgical evaluations PET for Alzheimer’s Disease is covered for patients with: Documented cognitive decline of at least six months. Recently established diagnosis of dementia who:
Meet diagnostic criteria for both Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and fronto-temporal dementia (FTD)
Have been evaluated for specific alternate neurodegenerative disease or causative factors.
The cause of the clinical symptoms remain uncertain.
Commonly referred to as PET, positron emission tomography is an examination that allows the physician to study the abnormalities of the heart and brain, as well as identify primary and metastatic disease. With its unique imaging technique, PET is capable of detecting certain diseases at an early stage in cellular functioning. A PET scan will provide information that can be used in the planning and management of care, in determining therapy and progress to therapy.
Why am I having a PET? The physician may have ordered a PET for one of the following reason:
•
Oncology to determine the location, diagnosis, staging and treatment.
•
Neurology to aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, stroke, brain tumors, and seizures.
•
Cardiology to determine the viability of the heart and myocardial perfusion.
How is a PET scan scheduled?
Your physician orders the PET scan from United Radiology. One of our staff will contact you to
schedule the appointment and finalize all the details and instructions.
Preparation
To ensure the best possible results, please carefully follow these instructions. When scheduling your
PET scan, inform the PET imaging staff if:
•
You are taking any medication.
•
You are diabetic.
•
You are pregnant or nursing.
Also:
•
Fast at least 6 hours prior to your appointment.
Other details may be given at the time of scheduling.
On the day of the exam
Due to the nature of the medication used for your test it is very important
you arrive on time.
•
Please bring the following important information:
- Your insurance card and forms
- Please bring prior diagnostic PET films and reports
- Any other imaging reports, including x-ray, CT or MRI
- The doctor’s prescription
•
Wear warm, comfortable clothing.
•
Plan to spend approximately two hours at United Radiology. Exam times and
procedures vary with each patient
Upon arrival
Our staff strive to make you as comfortable as possible when you arrive
•
First a medical history and any prior PET exams will be reviewed.
•
Blood sugar level may be checked depending on the test.
•
An imaging tracer will then be administered by way of injection.
•
A brief resting or quiet period will be required before the scanning begins. This resting period is necessary for the radiotracer to be distributed throughout
your body.
Description of procedure
•
The technologist will position you lying on the scan table.
•
The table will be moved into a large opening in the PET scanner.
•
You will be asked to lie quietly and relax while the PET scanner acquires the
images.
•
The time of the scan varies with but typically ranges from 40—60 minutes.
Upon scan completion
Once the test is completed you can resume your normal activities. When you leave the
following will happen:
•
The technologist will first process the computer images.
•
The radiologist will then interpret these images and report them to your physician.
•
Typically results will be finished in 24–48 hours.
