What do positron-emission tomography (PET) images primarily assess in the body?

Positron-emission tomography (PET) primarily assesses metabolic activity in the body. This imaging technique utilizes radiotracers that emit positrons, which can indicate areas of high biochemical activity, such as glucose metabolism. In many clinical scenarios, PET scans are used to evaluate cancerous tissues, as malignant cells often demonstrate increased metabolic activity in comparison to normal cells.

By measuring the uptake of these radiotracers, PET can effectively provide insight into the functional processes occurring within tissues, highlighting abnormalities that may not be visible through other imaging modalities. This capability makes PET an invaluable tool in diagnostics, treatment planning, and monitoring responses to therapy, particularly in oncology.

While other imaging techniques may assess tissue density or structural information, PET's unique focus on metabolic activity sets it apart, allowing for the visualization of physiological processes that underpin health and disease. This underscores the importance of PET in understanding how various tissues in the body are functioning at a metabolic level.