WakeMed and Raleigh Radiology Team Up to Introduce State-of-the-Art PET/CT Scanner – The First of its Kind in the Triangle

RALEIGH, N.C. (February 18, 2021) – Raleigh Radiology and WakeMed today announce the installation of the first PET/CT scanner of its kind in the Triangle, the Siemens Healthineers Biograph Vision. Located at the new Medical Park of Cary just behind WakeMed Cary Hospital, this latest-next-generation PET/CT scanner leverages advanced technology to help physicians detect disease and better understand disease progression for accurate and early treatment decisions. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced imaging, the Biograph Vision can detect even the smallest lesions with less exposure to radiation, and offers short scan times and a wide bore for enhanced patient comfort. The new PET/CT scanner opened to new patients on February 16.

“We’re pleased to introduce this important new service to our growing community in a convenient and cost-effective outpatient setting,” explains Valerie Barlow, WakeMed senior vice president and administrator. “Bringing in this advanced imaging technology will allow WakeMed and our physician partners to improve outcomes for patients with serious health problems such as cancer, neurological, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.”

PET/CT technology provides a higher degree of sensitivity and specificity for disease than any other imaging modality. Generally speaking, CT technology is an excellent imaging tool to help radiologists see detailed imaged of tissues and organs – showing exactly where a mass or lesion may be within the body. PET technology uses radioactive imaging agents such as fluorodeoxyglucose F 18, (commonly referred to as FDG) to detect metabolic activity that could indicate the presence of cancer. This allows radiologists to differentiate between cancerous and noncancerous lesions in the body.

The fusion of these technologies in a PET/CT scanner provides a wide range of benefits, including:

• Eliminating the need for invasive procedures or surgeries such as painful biopsies.
• Providing early diagnosis since PET/CT can show pathological changes earlier than they would show up on CT or MRI alone.
• Providing accurate disease staging and location for biopsy, surgery or treatment planning.
• Assessing response to and effectiveness of treatments, which can help oncologists make informed therapy decisions.

“This technology allows us to see and detect activity we can’t find on CT or MRI, and using Siemens’ latest, state-of-the-art equipment will allow us to provide a higher level of support for our local oncology and specialist communities,” relates WakeMed Chair of Radiology and Raleigh Radiology Radiologist Dr. Kirk Peterson.

PET/CT is used in a wide range of medical specialties, from oncology and neurology to cardiology and pulmonary applications. In the world of oncology, PET/CT is often used to detect breast cancer, lung cancer, stomach and pancreatic cancers, GI tumors, lymphoma, melanoma and much more. Because of its high degree of specificity, PET/CT is also very helpful for radiation treatment planning.

Raleigh Radiology’s nuclear medicine team has decades of expertise in reviewing and evaluating PET/CT studies – and our nuclear medicine radiologists are eager to welcome this new technology.

While PET/CT is an extraordinary tool today, the future is even more exciting for radiologists, oncologists and specialists alike. Emerging technologies in PET/CT include the introduction of new radioactive imaging agents that can be used to image specific cancers such as prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer, and cancers of the head and neck. Many of these technologies are in development and will provide valuable information to help oncologists evaluate, treat and monitor patients with various types of cancer. Furthermore, a new field within molecular imaging – known as theranostics – will ultimately allow radiologists to treat certain cancers using radioactive particles that will attach to tracers to ablate tumors.

About Raleigh Radiology

Raleigh Radiology is proud to be the exclusive imaging partner of WakeMed Health & Hospitals, reading thousands of imaging studies each week for patients inside the hospital and through WakeMed’s outpatient imaging sites. Working together, we aim provide the latest technology, convenient access and prompt testing and results for our patients. To learn more, visit raleighrad.com.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 946-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County’s only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 9,800 employees, 1,500 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 580 physicians and providers with WakeMed Physician Practices – all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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For Additional Information:

WakeMed Health & Hospitals


Kristin Kelly | Phone: 919-350-5921


Email: krkelly@wakemed.org