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PET scan - Results

Alternative Names

Nuclear medicine scan; Positron emission tomography

Normal Values:

There are no problems detected in the size, shape, or position of an organ. There are no areas in which the radiotracer has abnormally collected.

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal heart function
Abnormal size, shape, or position of an organ
Alzheimer's disease
Cancer (presence and how far it has spread)
Change in organ function
Growths
Infection

Reviewed last on: 2/23/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Beller GA, Kramer CM. Nuclear cardiology and computed tomography. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 54.

Ettinger DS. Lung cancer and other pulmonary neoplasms. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 201.

Hackney D. Radiologic imaging procedures. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 419.

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