Advancements in PET/CT technology: Read Henry's story

In 2016, Henry Bittmann found a bump on his right leg that he thought was a pimple. Then one day in the shower, it started bleeding. That moment launched a decade-long journey with a rare and aggressive skin cancer — and eventually led him to experience one of Riverside's newest advances in imaging technology.

Bittmann, now 74, was diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. Following surgery and radiation, the retired facilities engineer began an immunotherapy regimen that has helped control his cancer. He receives regular PET/CT scans to monitor his disease and how well his treatments are working — and that experience has recently gotten a lot better.

Permanent PET/CT Unit Is a First for the Region

Riverside Healthcare has expanded imaging technology at the Bourbonnais Campus with three brand-new medical imaging units inside a newly constructed 5,000-square-foot imaging suite: a new CT scanner, a new MRI unit, and a new PET/CT scanner. All three offer patients quicker results and shorter wait times.

The new PET/CT is the region's first and only permanent unit. Previously, patients had their scans in a mobile unit that visited the area only weekly or monthly. Having an in-house PET/CT unit means easier, more timely scheduling — especially important when doctors need to know quickly whether a cancer has spread in order to determine the most effective treatment.

"It was time to optimize our patient experience and deliver in-house PET/CT services," says Garrard Hendrix, Riverside Medical Center's Nuclear Medicine Supervisor. "It's Riverside's principal intent to provide our patients with the most cutting-edge technology as the premier health care provider in this county, as well as in surrounding communities."

A Better Experience for Patients

Last April, Bittmann had his first scan on the new PET/CT unit — and noticed the difference right away.

"This time, it seemed like it was very fast," he says. "There's less time that you're lying in the machine. It's a lot more efficient."

A quicker scan made the experience more comfortable for Bittmann, who also has a bad back that makes it hard to lie still for extended periods. He also praised the high-quality images his doctors were able to obtain from the new equipment.

"I think it was a good investment for Riverside, because it's close to home," Bittmann says. "I only need to go a couple of miles from my house, instead of having to go all the way up to Chicago and deal with all that traffic."

The addition of permanent PET/CT technology means patients who need a scan — including those newly diagnosed with cancer — won't have to wait for a mobile unit to arrive.

"It's good for the community to have that piece of equipment here locally," Bittmann says.

How PET/CT Works

A PET/CT scan is a nuclear imaging technique that combines a PET (positron emission tomography) scan with a CT (computed tomography) scan. Patients receive a small amount of an injected radioactive substance similar to glucose (sugar), which tumors absorb at a high rate. Because of the way cancer cells use glucose, they "light up" on a PET scan.

PET/CT scans have a variety of uses — helping doctors find cancer, determine if it has spread, and monitor the effectiveness of treatments. They can also be used to help manage heart and brain disorders.