About PET

The UMMC radiology department’s PET/CT Center serves with excellence our patients throughout the state of Mississippi and beyond, our referring clinicians, and our physicians and students in training. PET/CT combines Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography. PET imaging provides detailed information of normal and abnormal physiologic processes within the body revealed through the detection of very small amounts of injected radiopharmaceuticals, and CT imaging allows for the detection of normal and abnormal anatomical structures through cross-sectional imaging. This advanced hybrid imaging modality provides an extraordinary amount of useful information to assist clinicians in the diagnosis and management of a variety of diseases.

The UMMC PET/CT Center serves our patients with varied needs, including oncologic, dementia, epilepsy, cardiac, and infectious/inflammatory processes.

The oncologic services and array of radiopharmaceuticals offered at the UMMC PET/CT Center are extensive, including F-18 FDG for the majority of oncologic indications, F-18 Fluciclovine for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer (a first for Mississippi), post-radioembolization Y-90 PET/CT examinations for hepatic tumors (a first for Mississippi), and Ga-68 dotatate for localization of somatostatin receptor positive neuroendocrine tumors in adult and pediatric patients (anticipated in 2019). PET/CT services beyond oncologic imaging include F-18 FDG PET/CT examinations for seizure focus localization, dementia imaging, fever of unknown origin, potential left ventricular assist device (LVAD) infections, cardiac viability, and cardiac sarcoidosis. Our research endeavors include F-18 AV-45 PET/CT dementia imaging in conjunction with the UMMC MIND Center, Jackson Heart Study, and the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as PET/CT interpretations for UMMC patients enrolled in Children's Oncology Group trials. Preparations are underway to begin tau protein PET/CT imaging research in patient's with Alzheimer's Disease (anticipated in 2019).

At the UMMC PET/CT Center, we provide the highest level of healthcare for each of our patients by consistently delivering the best PET/CT interpretations, highly detailed image resolution, rapid scanning times, and superior patient service. For our cancer patients, we are the only PET/CT facility in the state to provide IV contrast and radiation therapy planning positioning to optimize efficiency, reduce radiation exposure to the patient, and provide cost savings by eliminating the need for an additional separate CT scan.

The UMMC PET/CT Center is one of the largest PET/CT centers in the nation with one of the highest patient volumes. Our interpreting nuclear radiologists have unmatched compassion for our patients, are nationally recognized, and have an extraordinary depth of expertise.

At the UMMC PET/CT Center, we are here to help all of our patients and referring clinicians. We welcome you to call 601-815-8960 to speak with one of our dedicated staff.