Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Positron Emission Tomography

Positron Emission Tomography

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique involving radiopharmaceuticals — substances that emit short-lived radiation. Although the first PET scanner was introduced in 1961, it took 15 more years before radiopharmaceuticals were combined with the technique and revolutionized its potential.
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...

Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy

Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that provides crucial insights into the body's physiological functions at a molecular level. It is an indispensable resource for diagnosing, staging, and monitoring various illnesses, notably cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.
Fundamental Principles of PET

Computed Tomography

Computed Tomography

Tomography refers to imaging by sections. Computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses computers to analyze several cross-sectional X-rays to reveal minute details about structures in the body.
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...

Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan

Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan

Radiological investigations are paramount in the diagnosis and management of various pulmonary diseases. Two essential investigations are the Pulmonary Angiogram and the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan.
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...

Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography

Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography

DefinitionComputed Tomography (CT) of the genitourinary (GU) tract is a non-invasive imaging modality that utilizes X-rays and computer processing to generate detailed cross-sectional images of the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and adjacent structures such as the adrenal glands.PurposeCT scans of the GU tract serve several diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Diseases: Detects kidney stones, tumors, cysts, and congenital...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Utility of INR For Prediction of Delayed Intracranial Hemorrhage Among Warfarin Users with Head Injury.

The Journal of emergency medicine·2020

Same author

Injuries of the head from backface deformation of ballistic protective helmets under ballistic impact.

Journal of forensic sciences·2014

Same author

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the FTO gene and their association with growth and meat quality traits in rabbits.

Gene·2013

Same author

Magnetic resonance imaging screening to identify spinal and paraspinal infections associated with injections of contaminated methylprednisolone acetate.

JAMA·2013

Same author

Autocrine TNF-α-mediated NF-κB activation is a determinant for evasion of CD40-induced cytotoxicity in cancer cells.

Biochemical and biophysical research communications·2013

Same author

Development of a rapid chemiluminescent ciELISA for simultaneous determination of florfenicol and its metabolite florfenicol amine in animal meat products.

Journal of the science of food and agriculture·2013

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

A Basic Positron Emission Tomography System Constructed to Locate a Radioactive Source in a Bi-dimensional Space

A Basic Positron Emission Tomography System Constructed to Locate a Radioactive Source in a Bi-dimensional Space

Published on: February 1, 2016

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography potential pitfalls and artifacts.

Xia Wang¹, Spencer Koch

¹Department of Radiology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202-2689, USA.

Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology

|May 26, 2009

Summary

18-Fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has many uses, but recognizing common pitfalls, artifacts, and benign uptakes is crucial to avoid misinterpreting findings as malignancy.

More Related Videos

Multi-Tracer Studies of Brain Oxygen and Glucose Metabolism Using a Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scanner

Multi-Tracer Studies of Brain Oxygen and Glucose Metabolism Using a Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scanner

Published on: June 7, 2024

Continuous Blood Sampling in Small Animal Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Enables the Measurement of the Arterial Input Function

Continuous Blood Sampling in Small Animal Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Enables the Measurement of the Arterial Input Function

Published on: August 8, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

A Basic Positron Emission Tomography System Constructed to Locate a Radioactive Source in a Bi-dimensional Space

A Basic Positron Emission Tomography System Constructed to Locate a Radioactive Source in a Bi-dimensional Space

Published on: February 1, 2016

Multi-Tracer Studies of Brain Oxygen and Glucose Metabolism Using a Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scanner

Multi-Tracer Studies of Brain Oxygen and Glucose Metabolism Using a Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scanner

Published on: June 7, 2024

Continuous Blood Sampling in Small Animal Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Enables the Measurement of the Arterial Input Function

Continuous Blood Sampling in Small Animal Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Enables the Measurement of the Arterial Input Function

Published on: August 8, 2019

Area of Science:

Nuclear Medicine
Medical Imaging
Oncology

Background:

18-Fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is widely used for tumor staging and assessing treatment response.
Accurate interpretation of FDG PET scans requires knowledge of potential pitfalls, artifacts, and benign findings.
Misinterpretation can lead to incorrect diagnosis and patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss common pitfalls, artifacts, and benign uptakes encountered in FDG PET imaging.
To provide a comprehensive overview of factors that can mimic malignancy.
To aid clinicians in accurate characterization of FDG uptake.

Main Methods:

Review of normal physiology and benign conditions causing increased FDG uptake.
Discussion of PET/CT physics related to artifacts (e.g., attenuation correction, motion).
Evaluation of specific organs and conditions (thyroid, thymus, adrenal, gynecologic, infection/inflammation, post-treatment changes).

Main Results:

Normal physiological processes can cause increased FDG uptake.
Benign tumors and metabolic conditions may present as focal FDG-avid lesions.
Artifacts from metallic implants, GI contrast, and patient motion can distort images.
Specific patterns of benign uptake exist in various organs and disease states.

Conclusions:

Understanding benign FDG uptake variants and artifacts is essential for accurate cancer staging and treatment response assessment.
Proper characterization of benign findings prevents misdiagnosis of malignancy.
Knowledge of PET/CT physics and common pitfalls improves diagnostic confidence and patient care.