Results of a Epilepsy PET/CT Exam

PET/CT is proving valuable for patient’s neurological disorders such as Epilepsy. CT scans from the PET/CT scanner can render exquisite detail about the structure of the brain, but the PET scan image can highlight abnormalities of brain function.

PET/CT works for brain disorders as brain cells use glucose as fuel. The more active the brain cells are the more glucose they will consume as fuel. Radioactive glucose (FDG) is used to trace the most active areas and less active areas do not show up as readily as more active areas, as good brain cells will consume less FDG.

A computer, using absorption data, shows the levels of brain activity as a "color coded brain map". One color (usually red) indicates more active brain areas, where another color (usually blue) indicates less active areas.

PET/CT is good for accurately locating seizure sites. FDG is injected into the brain and shows how the tissues in the brain are functioning. FDG injected before and during a seizure can be used to locate high brain activity as a seizure is happening and compare it to how the brain functions between seizures.

Using accurate anatomical locating from CT scans joined with the PET scans can lead the surgeons to the specific problem site or in some cases sites and highlight them for removal.