EEE 4101

Biomedical Signals and

Systems
Positron Emission Tomography
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

 Positron-emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear

medicine functional imaging technique that is used to observe
metabolic processes in the body. The system detects pairs of gamma
rays emitted indirectly by a positron-emitting radionuclide (tracer),
which is introduced into the body on a biologically active molecule.
 If the biologically active molecule
(radio isotope) chosen for PET is
fluorine-18 (F-18) fluorodeoxyglucose
(FDG), called FDG-PET, an analogue of
glucose, the concentrations of tracer
imaged will indicate tissue metabolic
activity as it corresponds to the
regional glucose uptake.
• As the radioisotope undergoes
positron emission decay (also known
as positive beta decay), it emits a
positron, an antiparticle of the
electron with opposite charge. The
emitted positron travels in tissue for a
short distance (typically less than 1
mm, but dependent on the isotope),
during which time it loses kinetic
energy, until it decelerates to a point
where it can interact with an electron.
The encounter annihilates both
electron and positron, producing a
pair of annihilation (gamma) photons
moving in approximately opposite
directions. These are detected by
gamma camera. Fig. : Schematic of a PET acquisition process
Fig. : PET scanner
Fig. : PET scan of brain Fig. : Whole-body PET scan using 18F-FDG
Applications of PET
• PET is both a medical and research tool used in pre-clinical and clinical
settings.
• It is used heavily in the imaging of tumors and the search
for metastases within the field of clinical oncology, and for the clinical
diagnosis of certain diffuse brain diseases such as those causing
various types of dementias.
• PET is a valuable research tool to learn and enhance our knowledge of
the normal human brain, heart function, and support drug
development. PET is also used in pre-clinical studies using animals.
• It allows repeated investigations into the same subjects over time,
where subjects can act as their own control and substantially reduces
the numbers of animals required for a given study. This approach
allows research studies to reduce the sample size needed while
increasing the statistical quality of its results.

• PET can provide molecular-level information much before any

anatomic changes are visible.
• Some notable application fields of PET are:
Neuroimaging
Cardiology
Bio-distribution Studies
Small animal imaging
Musculo-skeletal imaging
Positron-emission tomography (PET) is a powerful medical imaging technique used in nuclear medicine to study and visualize
metabolic and physiological processes within the human body. It works by detecting pairs of gamma rays produced indirectly by
a positron-emitting radionuclide, which is introduced into the body via a biologically active molecule.
Here's how PET imaging works in detail:
1.Radioactive Tracer Injection: The process begins with the injection of a small amount of a radioactive tracer into the
patient's body. This tracer is typically attached to a biologically active molecule that mimics the behavior of a natural substance
in the body. The choice of tracer depends on the specific metabolic or physiological process being studied. Commonly used
tracers include fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which mimics glucose, and other molecules that target specific organs or functions.
2.Positron Emission: The radioactive tracer contains a positron-emitting radionuclide, which is an unstable atom. Positrons are
antimatter counterparts of electrons, and when they encounter electrons in the body, they annihilate each other. This
annihilation process results in the release of two gamma-ray photons traveling in opposite directions.
3.Gamma Ray Detection: A PET scanner consists of a ring of detectors that surrounds the patient. These detectors are
sensitive to gamma rays. When the gamma rays produced by the annihilation of positrons and electrons are detected, they
provide information about the location of the annihilation event within the body.
4.Image Reconstruction: The data collected by the detectors are sent to a computer, which processes and reconstructs the
information into detailed images of the distribution of the radioactive tracer within the body. These images represent the
metabolic or physiological activity in various tissues and organs.
5.Functional Information: PET images are not just anatomical; they provide functional information about the body. By
tracking the distribution and concentration of the radioactive tracer, physicians and researchers can assess how different organs
and tissues are functioning. For example, they can identify areas with high glucose uptake (common in cancer cells) or study
blood flow and oxygen consumption in the brain.
6.Clinical Applications: PET imaging is widely used in various medical fields, including oncology (to detect and stage cancers),
neurology (to study brain function and diagnose neurological disorders), cardiology (to assess heart function and blood flow),
and more. It can help diagnose diseases, guide treatment decisions, and monitor the progress of therapy.
PET imaging offers unique insights into the body's physiological processes, allowing for early disease detection and more
targeted treatment approaches. However, because it involves the use of radioactive tracers, it is carefully regulated and requires
specific safety precautions to minimize radiation exposure to patients and healthcare workers