Positron Emission Tomography

Definition 1

A technique for measuring the gamma radiation produced by collisions of electrons and positrons (anti-electrons) within living tissue. In positron emission tomography (PET), a subject is given a dose of a positron-emitting radionuclide attached to a metabolically active substance (for example, 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG), which is similar to a naturally occurring sugar, glucose, with the addition of a radioactive fluorine atom). When living tissue containing the positron emitter is bombarded by electrons, gamma radiation produced by collisions of electrons and positrons is detected by a scanner, revealing in fine detail the tissue location of the metabolically-active substance administered. (NCI Thesaurus)

Definition 2

A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body. (NCI Dictionary)

Definition 3

An imaging technique for measuring the gamma radiation produced by collisions of electrons and positrons (anti-electrons) within living tissue. In positron emission tomography (PET), a subject is given a dose of a positron-emitting radionuclide attached to a metabolically active substance. A scanner reveals the tissue location of the metabolically-active substance administered. (NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Positron

The anti-particle of the electron, having the same mass but being positively rather than negatively charged.

Positive test result

A test result that shows that a person has the disease, condition, or biomarker for which the test is being done. A…

Positive Surgical Margin

Indicates the presence of tumor cells at the edge of a surgically excised specimen.

Positive Sense ssRNA Virus

A single stranded RNA virus where the RNA strand has the same polarity as a mRNA.

Positive Selection

The separation of specific cells or cell populations from a heterogeneous mixture. Specifically it refers to the selective retention of a population…

Positive Reinforcer

A stimulus that increases the frequency of behavior that leads to its presentation. Things such as food, water, sex, and the opportunity…