PET -Positron Emission Tomography

P.E.T. - Positron Emission Tomography Program

For patients at Malibu Horizon, a PET scan can reveal the actual damage caused to their brain as the result of drug and or alcohol abuse. A PET scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance, a tracer, to reveal any and all disease or injury in the brain.

Way Get a PET Scan ?

By taking a PET scan upon being admitted to Malibu Horizon, the actual damage to the brain can be accurately assessed and more precisely treated. A PET scan done upon discharging from Malibu Horizon, will show a client the actual improvement to their brain's structure and functioning as a direct result of their treatment at Malibu Horizon.

How a PET Scan Works

Positron emission tomography (PET Scan) is an imaging technique which produces a three-dimensional picture of functional processes in the body, such as the brain.

Unlike magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans, which reveal the structure of the brain, a PET scan shows how the brain and its tissues are working. A computer uses the absorption data to show the levels of activity as a color-coded brain map, with one color (usually red) indicating more active brain areas, and another color (usually blue) indicating the less active areas. PET imaging software allows a doctor to look at cross-sectional "slices" of the brain, and therefore observe deep brain structures, which earlier techniques like EEGs could not. PET is one of the most popular scanning techniques in current neuroscience research.

Developed in the 1970s, PET scans allow one to observe blood flow or metabolism in any part of the brain. In a PET scan, the subject is injected with a very small quantity of radioactive glucose. The PET then scans the absorption of the radioactivity from outside the scalp. Brain cells use glucose as fuel, and PET works on the theory that if brain cells are more active, they will consume more of the radioactive glucose, and if less active, they will consume less of it.

The amount of radiation used in a PET scan is low.

Women who are pregnant or are breast-feeding should let their doctor know before having this test. Infants and fetuses are more sensitive to the effects of radiation because their organs are still growing.

Before receiving the contrast, tell your health care provider if you are taking the diabetes medication metformin (Glucophage) because you may need to take extra precautions.

It is possible, although very unlikely, to have an allergic reaction to the radioactive tracer. Let your doctor know if you have ever had an allergic reaction to injected contrast dye. Some people have pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

Non Liability for Professional Services

All patients and their doctors have individual treatment agreements for services rendered. All doctors of medicine furnishings services to clients at Malibu Horizon are independent consultants, not employees or agents.