MCCCD Program Description

Positron Emissions Tomography (PET) Procedure Protocols

Course: ICE246

First Term: 2007 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) diagnostic procedures. Administration of radiopharmaceuticals. Administration of interventional pharmaceuticals. Imaging techniques

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Explain proper techniques for radiopharmaceutical administration in relation to diagnostic Positron Emission Tomography (PET) procedures. (I) 2. Explain basic concepts of interventional pharmaceuticals used for corresponding diagnostic procedures. (II) 3. Identify the proper imaging techniques for various imaging protocols. (III) 4. Explain the basic concepts behind the various acquisition modes and scanning techniques. (III) 5. Describe the procedures for positron imaging including equipment, protocol, dose and administration technique, administration-to-acquisition times, acquisition parameters, standard positioning and views, and special imaging adaptations. (IV) 6. Describe the procedure for data processing and image formatting. (IV) 7. Identify and potential pitfalls with basic procedure and processing. (IV) 8. Compare and contrast selected interventions and procedures including vasodilators, psychological stress studies, and sensory stimulation studies. (V) 9. Describe the normal distribution and normal variants seen in positron imaging as recognized on printed images. (VI) 10. Describe various artifacts that can occur during positron imaging as identified on printed images. (VI) 11. Discuss common causes of false-negative and false positive positron imaging. (VI) 12. Discuss diagnostic outcomes as related to risks in choosing PET imaging. (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Administration of radiopharmaceuticals A. Dosage determination B. Dose preparation and administration C. Routes of administration D. Intravenous injection techniques E. Factors affecting biodistribution II. Administration of interventional pharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and contrast media A. Basic concepts B. Emergency Care C. Pharmaceuticals D. Contrast media III. Imaging Techniques A. Cardiology B. Neurology C. Oncology D. Acquisition modes E. Image fusion F. Quantitative Image Data G. Future Trends in PET imaging IV. Basic Procedure and Processing A. Protocols B. Dose administration and technique C. Acquisition parameters D. Positioning and views, including adaptations E. Data processing, including co-registration and 3-dimensional volumetric display 1. Dedicated PET 2. Positron Coincidence Detection (PCD), including iterative reconstruction and attenuation correction 3. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with 511 keV collimators F. Image formatting G. Pitfalls V. Interventions and Procedures A. Vasodilators (acetazolamide) B. Psychological stress studies C. Sensory stimulation studies D. Others VI. Image and Data Interpretation A. Normal B. Normal variants C. Abnormal D. Artifacts VII. Diagnostic/Prognostic Value of Study A. Outcomes B. Treatment decision C. Prognostic risk factors based on diagnosis

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 6/26/2007

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.