Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)

South Shore Hospital and Shields Health Care partner to offer positron emission tomography (PET) services. 

PET scan produces highly-detailed images of the body's metabolic functions. The PET scanner is highly sensitive to functional changes in the body and helps diagnose abnormalities much more accurately than any other available technology.

PET technology is regarded as a powerful tool to accurately image and measure the metabolic function of cancer. Once the tumor has been located, PET is able to distinguish whether it is benign or malignant. Additionally, once a patient has undergone chemotherapy, PET can assess how effective the treatment has been.
For cardiology applications, PET scanning is the most accurate noninvasive test to determine the presence of coronary artery disease, or the viability of the muscle. PET imaging can also be used to detect abnormalities in the brain, making it easier to diagnose neurological disorders.