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PET-CT: Advanced Molecular Imaging

Positron Emission Tomography is the leading molecular imaging technology for diagnosing, staging and monitoring oncological and neurological conditions. At Affidea neuraCare we offer the full range of PET-CT examinations, with clinical interpretation by an internationally recognised Professor of Nuclear Medicine
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Two areas of application

Specialisation in neurology & oncology

PET-CT is used as a decisive diagnostic tool across two major fields of modern medicine. In each case, selecting the right radiotracer and providing individualised interpretation are key to an accurate diagnosis.

Area A

Neurology

Functional brain imaging for the differential diagnosis of dementia, the localisation of epileptogenic foci, and the assessment of neurodegenerative disorders.

  • Differential diagnosis of dementia — Alzheimer's, FTD, DLB
  • Pre-surgical work-up for refractory epilepsy
  • Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonian syndromes
  • Neurodegenerative disorders of the CNS
Area B

Neuro-Oncology & Oncology

Whole-body imaging of metabolic activity for accurate staging, identification of metastases, and monitoring of response to treatment.

  • Staging of malignant neoplasms
  • Monitoring of treatment response
  • CNS tumours and glioma recurrence
  • Differentiation between benign and malignant lesions

Our approach

Multiple radiopharmaceuticals, specialist interpretation

PET-CT combines the molecular imaging capability of Positron Emission Tomography with the anatomical precision of Computed Tomography. The choice of radiopharmaceutical is tailored to the clinical question: F-18 FDG for oncology, epilepsy and inflammatory conditions; F-18 PSMA for prostate cancer; F-18 NaF for bone metastases; F-18 FET for brain tumours; F-18 DOPA for parkinsonian syndromes; and Neuraceq (F-18 Florbetaben) for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Under the scientific direction of Professor Sofia Chatziioannou, former Director of Nuclear Medicine at The Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. American Board certified, with more than 100 international publications in molecular imaging.

5+ radiopharmaceuticals
FDG, Amyloid PET, and other specialist tracers selected according to clinical indication.
~20 minutes
Imaging duration — comfortable supine position, short time inside the scanner.
International training
American Board Certified Professor with fellowship at Texas Heart Institute.

Our applications

Specialised PET-CT protocols

Each radiopharmaceutical targets a different biological mechanism. The right choice determines the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Oncology

FDG PET-CT Whole-Body

¹⁸F-FDG

The most widely used oncological application. It exploits the high glucose uptake of malignant cells to image metabolic activity.

Clinical indications Staging of malignant neoplasms · Detection of metastases · Monitoring response to chemotherapy / immunotherapy · Surveillance for recurrence · Differentiating benign from malignant lesions.
Neurology

FDG PET-CT Brain

¹⁸F-FDG

Functional imaging of cerebral metabolism. Different conditions show characteristic patterns of hypometabolism in specific regions.

Clinical indications Differential diagnosis of dementia (Alzheimer's vs FTD vs DLB) · Pre-surgical localisation of epileptogenic foci · Assessment of post-treatment changes in brain tumours · Differentiation from radiation necrosis.
Neurology

Neuraceq® Amyloid PET-CT

¹⁸F-Florbetaben (Neuraceq®)

Targeted imaging of β-amyloid concentration in the cerebral cortex — the hallmark neuropathological finding of Alzheimer's disease.

Clinical indications Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease · Differentiation of Alzheimer's from other causes of cognitive decline · Assessment of eligibility for targeted anti-amyloid therapies · Monitoring of amyloid load reduction.
Neuro-oncology

F-FET PET-CT Brain

¹⁸F-FET

An amino acid radiotracer with selective uptake by neoplastic cells in the brain. Offers significantly higher sensitivity than FDG for CNS tumours, owing to its low background uptake in healthy brain tissue.

Clinical indications Differentiation of tumour from radiation necrosis post-radiotherapy · Staging and biopsy planning in gliomas · Monitoring response to treatment · Surveillance for recurrence in high-grade tumours.
Neurology

F-DOPA PET-CT

¹⁸F-DOPA

Imaging of the dopaminergic system in the nigrostriatal pathway. Directly assesses presynaptic dopamine function — the key neurochemical finding in Parkinson's disease.

Clinical indications Early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease · Differentiation from essential tremor and vascular parkinsonism · Atypical parkinsonian syndromes (MSA, PSP, CBD) · Adjunctive evaluation in brain tumours.
Non-oncological indications

FDG PET-CT for Inflammation & Infection

¹⁸F-FDG

FDG does not concentrate only in cancer cells — it is also taken up intensely by activated inflammatory cells. A powerful tool in difficult diagnostic cases when the focus of disease remains unclear.

Clinical indications Fever of unknown origin (FUO) · Infective endocarditis · Sarcoidosis (cardiac & systemic) · Suspected infection of vascular grafts or prosthetic material · Large-vessel vasculitis (e.g. giant cell arteritis).
Oncology

F-18 PSMA PET-CT

¹⁸F-PSMA

Targeted imaging of prostate cancer through Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen, a marker on the surface of prostate cells. Significantly higher sensitivity compared with conventional imaging methods.

Clinical indications Staging of high-risk prostate cancer · Investigation of biochemical recurrence (rising PSA) · Detection of low-volume metastases · Planning of targeted therapy.
Oncology

F-18 NaF PET-CT Bone

¹⁸F-NaF

A radiopharmaceutical with high affinity for bone tissue — incorporated into the hydroxyapatite of bone, revealing areas of increased bone metabolic activity. Clearly superior sensitivity and resolution compared with conventional bone scintigraphy.

Clinical indications Detection of bone metastases (primarily prostate and breast cancer) · Staging and post-treatment monitoring · Investigation of bone pain of unclear aetiology · Early identification of bone disease.

ΕΟΠΥΥ-contracted service

Full PET-CT coverage through ΕΟΠΥΥ

PET-CT examinations at Affidea neuraCare are covered by ΕΟΠΥΥ — the National Organisation for the Provision of Health Services. Coverage requires a referral from the treating physician with a clear clinical indication.

Oncological applications Neurological applications Electronic prescription

Excellence should not be a privilege — specialist molecular imaging is now accessible to every insured patient.

How it works

From molecular activity to imaging

Positron Emission Tomography takes advantage of the property of certain radioactive isotopes to emit positrons. When the radiopharmaceutical reaches the target tissues, each emitted positron meets an electron, and their annihilation produces a pair of photons travelling in opposite directions.

The detector ring of the PET camera records the photon pairs simultaneously and precisely calculates their point of origin. The simultaneous CT scan provides the anatomical reference for accurate localisation.

The advantage of PET-CT Unlike conventional imaging methods that show structure, PET-CT images function. It can detect pathological changes before anatomical alterations become apparent — a critical difference in many clinical scenarios.
Radiotracer uptake (the finding) Detectors Coincidence detection of photon pairs by the ring

The process

The examination, step by step

Total duration depends on the protocol, but the active imaging time is limited.

1
~20 minutes

Preparation

Review of medical history and referral, glucose measurement (for FDG protocols), rest in a quiet area.

2
5 minutes

Radiopharmaceutical administration

Intravenous administration of the appropriate radiotracer according to the clinical indication.

3
50–90 minutes

Uptake time

Rest in a comfortable setting to allow the radiopharmaceutical to distribute through the target tissues.

4
15–30 minutes

Imaging

PET-CT scan in a comfortable supine position. Clinical interpretation is performed by Professor Chatziioannou.

Prof. Sofia Chatziioannou

Director of Nuclear Medicine

Prof. Sofia Chatziioannou

Professor of Nuclear Medicine, NKUA · American Board Certified

Professor of Nuclear Medicine and an internationally recognised expert in molecular imaging. With specialty and subspecialty training at Baylor College of Medicine and previous appointments as Director of Nuclear Medicine at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, she has contributed substantially to the development of advanced molecular imaging methods in Greece.

Pioneering applications in Greece: First to introduce radioembolisation therapy for hepatic tumours in Greece. Established "Attikon" as an ENETS reference centre for PRRT therapies in neuroendocrine tumours.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Before your examination

The most common questions from patients planning a PET-CT.

Is the examination dangerous because of radiation?
The radiation dose is controlled and matched to the diagnostic needs of the examination. The radiopharmaceuticals used have a very short half-life (from a few minutes to a few hours) and are eliminated quickly from the body. The procedure is safe and is carried out daily worldwide in millions of patients. It is not indicated during pregnancy — if there is any possibility, please inform us before your appointment.
Is the examination covered by ΕΟΠΥΥ?
Yes, PET-CT examinations at Affidea neuraCare are covered by ΕΟΠΥΥ. The essential requirement is a referral from the treating physician with a clear statement of the clinical indication. Specialised examinations (Neuraceq Amyloid PET, F-FET, F-DOPA) may have additional requirements — please contact us for specific information.
How long does the visit take in total?
Total time at the centre is approximately 1.5–2 hours. Active imaging is short (20–40 minutes), but a waiting period of 45–90 minutes is required after injection of the radiopharmaceutical to allow it to distribute through the tissues. We recommend allocating the whole morning.
Is any preparation required before the examination?
For FDG examinations, fasting of at least 6 hours is required — you may drink water. We recommend avoiding intense physical activity the day before and wearing comfortable clothing without metal fastenings. For specialised examinations (Neuraceq Amyloid, F-FET, F-DOPA) you will receive tailored instructions when you book. Patients with diabetes need specific preparation — please let us know in advance.
What is the difference between PET-CT and MRI or CT?
CT and MRI show the anatomical structure of tissues. PET-CT images the metabolic and functional activity of cells — it can detect active disease before visible anatomical changes appear. In many cases (e.g. oncology) the examinations are combined to provide a complete picture.
Is there a risk of allergic reaction or claustrophobia?
Both concerns are far more limited than with other imaging examinations. PET-CT radiopharmaceuticals are administered in very small quantities and allergic reactions are extremely rare — clearly less frequent than those associated with iodinated contrast in CT or gadolinium agents in MRI. As for claustrophobia, the modern PET-CT scanner is markedly more open and the examination shorter than MRI, so most patients have no difficulty. If you have a history of severe allergy or significant claustrophobia, please let us know before your appointment so we can adapt the procedure accordingly.
Do I need to stop my medication?
Continue your medication as usual unless you receive specific instructions otherwise. For patients with diabetes taking insulin or oral antidiabetic agents, there are specific adjustment instructions for the hours before an FDG examination — we will provide these in detail when you book. NEVER discontinue any medication without first consulting your treating physician.
When will I receive the results?
The written report from Professor Chatziioannou is usually delivered within 1–2 business days. In urgent cases and following coordination with the referring physician, a faster turnaround is available. The report includes the findings, quantification where relevant (e.g. SUV measurements in oncology), and clinical interpretation.

Book an appointment

Schedule your PET-CT

Complete the form below and the Affidea neuraCare team will contact you within one business day to confirm the appropriate examination and provide you with detailed preparation instructions.

Phone
216 005 0900
Opening hours
Weekdays 08:00–20:00
Saturday & Sunday closed

Doctors

Professor Hatziioannou Sofia

Director of Nuclear Medicine