Looking Inside the Human Body Using Radioactive Atoms

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a method for taking pictures of disease inside sick person’s body, without having to cut them open. In PET imaging, radioactive chemical called radiotracer injected into patient. All radiotracers have two main parts: part that targets the disease, and an unstable atom (radioisotope) emits positive electrons (positrons) as it breaks down (decays). When positron crashes electron, both are destroyed, particles light emerge. Doctors can detect these signals use create 3D image where tracer (and disease) in body. This article describes radioisotopes greater detail. We focus on fluorine-18, radioisotope makes up “signaling part” many important radiotracers.