About PET Scans

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that produces images of your organs and tissues at work. The test uses a safe, injectable radioactive chemical, called a radiotracer, that works with the PET scanner to show diseased cells.

PET vs MRI vs CT

Both a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and a CT (computed tomography) scan produce still images of organs and body structures like your skeleton. CT scans use x-rays and MRI scans use magnets and radio waves.

A PET scan uses a radioactive tracer that produces a video showing your organs functioning in real time.