Positron Emission Tomography
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to visualize metabolic processes in the body. It detects gamma rays emitted by positron-emitting radionuclides, allowing for the creation of three-dimensional images of functional processes like glucose metabolism or blood flow. PET is widely used in oncology, neurology, and cardiology for disease diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring.
Developers should learn about PET when working on medical imaging software, healthcare data analysis, or AI applications in diagnostics, as it provides critical functional data that complements anatomical imaging like CT or MRI. It is essential for projects involving cancer detection, brain disorder research, or drug development, where understanding metabolic activity is key to accurate analysis and decision-making.