PET-CT

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Welcome to our PET CT scanning services

Circle BMI Mount Alvernia Hospital and the Surrey, Hampshire & Sussex radiologist chambers (The Imaging Clinic) have been working in joint venture for 15 years, and it is pleased to offer a state-of-the-art PET CT scanner. It currently offers FDG, PSMA and Choline PET CT scans, as well as imaging a range of malignancies and chronic inflammatory disorders using Molecular Imaging.

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PET-CT Scanner
Our Services

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PET CT Scanning

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a molecular imaging technique providing functional information, that is often combined with structural computed tomography (CT) imaging as a co-registered image as a PET CT study.

It identifies metabolic activity by way of a nuclear medicine investigation within actively metabolising cells of tissues, and is most often used in the assessment of conditions involving the heart (eg coronary artery disease), brain (eg dementia) and malignancies as well as inflammatory conditions.

The injected radioactivity is a radionuclide or radiopharmaceutical, which is generated by a cyclotron.  The commonest used agent is fluorine-18 (18F) labelled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) which simulates glucose in metabolic processes.  However, is short-lived with a ‘half life’ of two hours and needs to be injected shortly after production.

It then emits positrons (anti-electrons), and when it collides with an electron after a short distance of ~1mm, produces annihilation radiation at a characteristic radiation energy of 511 KeV (rather than the gamma rays used in Nuclear Medicine studies).  This produces two or more photons which travel in opposite directions 180o apart, and when detected by two of the detectors surrounding the patient (‘coincident event’), the electronics identify them as arising from the same ‘event’ with the data used to reconstruct tomographic images.

In contrast to conventional nuclear medicine studies where a gamma camera detects gamma rays (either as a flat ‘planar’ image or as a three-dimensional or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography), as a quantum of radioactivity in body tissues, PET CT detects the degree of metabolic activity within tissues.  It may identify disease activity before anatomical change.

Although fluorine within FDG is the commonest used radionuclide, other agents using gallium, nitrogen, carbon and oxygen are available detecting activity such as blood flow in a tissue of interest.

A radionuclide is first injected into a vein through an IV. Next, the PET scanner slowly navigates itself around the area of the body being checked. Positrons are then discharged by the radionuclide as it decays. Annihilation photons are formed due to positrons colliding with their electron counterparts. The PET Scanner identifies these photons when they reach the detectors in pairs separated by 180 degrees. The scanner’s computer analyses the gamma rays and uses the data to develop a mapped image of the area being examined. The brightness of the tissue or organ in the image will depend on it’s function as the radionuclide gathers there.  

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Doctor Testimonials

5/5
"I have been referring for PET scans since the unit opened and have been very impressed. From the moment the referrals are received the staff are so helpful. The patients are booked in quickly however are accommodated if they’re unable to make certain dates, and are communicated with closely and effectively. Alongside FDG PET scans we are also able to request PSMA PET, which is challenging to get elsewhere. Once the scans are done we are emailed with the result in 24-48 hours. It is an amazing service!"
Dr Katie Wood
Dr Katie Wood
NHS consultant
5/5
"The BMI Imaging Clinic at Mt Alvernia provides a rapid access, highly personalised imaging service, using state-of-art technology which has allowed me to treat my patients without any delay. The PET CT staff have decades of experience, and ensure the best patient experience and highest quality reporting of scans. Images are rapidly accessible across and number of hospital sites, allowing discussion with colleagues in multidisciplinary teams meetings, avoiding any delays to commence systemic therapies."
Prof. Hardev Pandha - Professor of Oncology
Professor Hardev Pandha
Professor of Oncology
5/5
PET CT at MAH provides a truly amazing service with quick appointments and rapid reporting combined with excellent patient experience. As a Clinician, I find the interaction with the reporting radiologists very helpful in interpreting complex radiological findings to make personalised treatment decisions for my patients.
Dr Veni Ezhil - Consultant-Oncologist
Dr Veni Ezhil
Consultant Oncologist
5/5
"PSMA PET CT is an invaluable tools for assessing patients with high risk or recurrent prostate cancer. The quality of the images and caring professionalism of the staff are outstanding at Mt Alvernia Hospital. Many of my patients have benefited from the rapid turnaround service that they offer, providing high quality reports quickly.”
Prof. Stephen Langley - Professor of Urology
Professor Stephen Langley
Professor of Urology
5/5
"The referral process for the PET CT is very straightforward. I find my referrals are processed quickly and efficiently. I am able to choose my preferred radiologist for reporting who often communicates results directly with me and is available to discuss the case for a true multidisciplinary reporting process. The radiologists are available to discuss which scan is most appropriate and at what interval to scan. The staff are friendly to my patients who find the scanning process hassle-free and a pleasant experience. The scanner is a modern, technologically advanced scanner which is comfortable to be scanned in."
Dr Alexandra Stewart - Consultant Oncologist
Dr Alexandra Stewart
Consultant Oncologist
5/5
PET CT at MAH provides a truly amazing service with quick appointments and rapid reporting combined with excellent patient experience. As a Clinician, I find the interaction with the reporting radiologists very helpful in interpreting complex radiological findings to make personalised treatment decisions for my patients.
Dr Veni Ezhil - Consultant-Oncologist
Dr Veni Ezhil
Consultant Oncologist
5/5
Very efficient prompt service with short turn around for receiving reports. Essential scan for planning some cancer treatments.
Dr Robert Laing - Consultant Oncologist
Dr Robert Laing
Consultant Oncologist
5/5
"The most important thing for patients is getting investigations in a timely manner to help make treatment decisions. The PET scanner at MAH always ensures that the scan is done quickly within days and reported promptly. The whole experience is smooth and without fuss. Clearly the scanner is managed well and communication with the patient is quick and efficient. We wish all investigations were like this!"
Dr Tony Dhillon - Consultant Medical Oncologist
Dr Tony Dhillon
Consultant Oncologist
Patient Testimonial: I was the first patient to be scanned on the new comfortable fixed facility PET CT scanner at Mount Alvernia Hospital, and have been treated for a number of years in Guildford with several PET CT scans at the hospital. I was surprised and delighted to be invited to the opening of the scanner by Anne Milton MP and have always received expert imaging provided by the wonderful Molecular Imaging team running the scanner, with prompt comprehensive reports

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Meet Our Team

Our Doctors are some of the nation's leading specialists, each with at least 15 years of clinical experience using the most innovative technology available.

  • All dual accredited superspecialist consultant radiologists in Molecular Imaging
  • All fully trained by The Royal College of Radiologists & GMC-registered
  • Excellent quality care & service
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Our Team
Dr Nick Ashford

Dr Nick Ashford

Consultant Radiologist & Molecular Imaging Specialist

Dr James Crawshaw

Dr James Crawshaw

Consultant Radiologist at The Royal Surrey County Hospital

Dr Natasha Hamilton

Consultant Radiologist at The Royal Surrey County Hospital

Prof Vineet Prakash

Prof Vineet Prakash

Consultant Radiologist and Nuclear Medicine Physician

Dr Manu Shastry

Dr Manu Shastry

Consultant Radiologist and Nuclear Medicine Physician, Royal Surrey County Hospital

Dr Nick Ashford qualified from University College Hospital Medical School awarded MB BS in 1976, having achieved a First Class Honours BSc in Anatomy at University College London in 1973.

Following appointments in General Medicine at Oxford, and in Neurology The National Hospital for Nervous Diseases (London), he specialised in Radiology & Nuclear Medicine at Addenbrooke’s and Papworth Hospitals in Cambridge.  Appointed  as Consultant Radiologist to St Richards’s Hospital Chichester, he has led the department as Clinical Director and is ARSAC Licence Holder in Nuclear Medicine.  His specialist areas are oncology. paediatrics, musculoskeletal & interventional radiology.

Dr Ashford holds National positions as specialist advisor to NICE as well as being a member of Nuclear Medicine committee of the British Institute of Radiology.  He is a National accreditor and departmental auditor in Radiology.  He was formerly a Faculty  Board member at The Royal College of Radiologists and is past-Treasurer to the College.

As a Nuclear Medicine specialist, he chaired the South Thames Nuclear Medicine Group whilst reporting PET CT Nationally. His PET CT training been undertaken both in London and also at the Mem0rial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York. He is co-author of “PET-CT in the UK” published by the Royal College of Radiologists. He is also the ARSAC licence holder for both Nuclear Medicine  and PET CT at the developing Cancer centre of Excellence at BMI Mount Alvernia Hospital Guildford

I have been a Consultant Radiologist at The Royal Surrey Foundation Trust since 2007. After training at Imperial Medical School (92-97).

my initial experience was in Surgery obtaining Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh 2001. My Radiology training was in London together with an oncology imaging fellowship at The Royal Marsden Hospital (2001-2007).

I obtained a distinction in the Postgraduate College Certificate in Nuclear Medicine from King’s College, London 2007. I trained specifically in PET/CT, CT and MRI at The Royal Marsden and Royal Surrey County Hospitals. I am the lead local/regional radiologist for the melanoma, lymphoma, upper GI, GIST and CUP MDTs.

Prior hospital responsibilities include Radiology Clinical Director (8 years) and Clinical tutor for local trainees (2 years). I have taught and presented at national radiology and nuclear medicine conferences, together with journal publications and a book chapter. My special interests include oncology and Gastrointestinal imaging. I report PET/CT, CT and MRI studies at The Mount Alvernia.

Dr Hamilton is a Consultant Radiologist with an NHS practice at Royal County Surrey Hospital in Guildford, Surrey.
She graduated from Newcastle University in 2012 and went on to specialty radiology training at Southampton Hospital, becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists in 2018.
Dr Hamilton has trained in cross-sectional radiology subspecialising in cardiothoracic and oncology radiology with particular interest in body FDG PET-CT, oncology CT, chest and cardiac imaging. She is regularly involved with the lung, skin and haematology MDTs at Royal Surrey.

Professor Prakash is a dual accredited Nuclear Medicine Physician and Radionuclide Radiologist active on the GMC register.

His clinical expertise include PET-CT for Oncology, Dementia and Cardiology.

He has set up the PSMA diagnostic PET-CT service for detection of recurrence in biochemical recurrent prostate cancer at the Mount Alvernia Hospital.

He is Clinical Lead of Nuclear Medicine at Royal Surrey NHS FT Hospital and an honorary Professor at University of Surrey.

At a national level, he is co-chair of the Scientific and Education committee of the British Nuclear Medicine Society.

Dr Shastry is a dual accredited Consultant Nuclear Medicine Physician and Radionuclide Radiologist.

He has professional expertise in all aspects of PET CT and Nuclear Medicine practice.

He completed Higher Specialist Nuclear Medicine Training at University College Hospital London. He has a MSc degree in Nuclear Medicine from Kings College London.

He obtained further specialist training in General and Radionuclide Radiology from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

His interest includes Oncology PET CT, Dementia imaging and Hybrid Nuclear Medicine imaging.

His NHS practice is at Royal Surrey NHS FT hospital Nuclear Medicine department.