TED-Ed: Pedro Brugarolas: Why do hospitals have particle accelerators?

The video explains the use of PET scans in medical diagnostics, focusing on the FDG tracer. It describes the production of fluorine-18 in a cyclotron and its application in detecting diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. The mechanism of PET scans, involving positron emission and 3D mapping, is detailed. The video also addresses the safety of PET scans, comparing radiation exposure to natural sources.

Explain how the radiation emitted by the tracer is utilized in a PET scan.

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What safety considerations are associated with PET scans?

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