The CODRA Special Hospital is the first health institution in Montenegro that provides PET/CT diagnostics, the most advanced form of imaging for the detection of malignant and other metabolically active diseases. This technology represents the gold standard in modern medicine and is used around the world for early cancer detection, determining the spread of the disease and monitoring the response to therapy.
PET/CT (positron emission tomography with computerized tomography) combines two diagnostic methods in one scan – it provides a simultaneous functional (metabolic) and anatomical view of changes in the body. This approach enables disease detection at the molecular level, often before visible structural changes develop.
When is PET/CT recommended?
PET/CT is used for:
Diagnosis and monitoring of malignant tumors (lung, breast, colon, lymphoma, melanoma, pancreas, brain, etc.)
Assessment of cancer spread (staging)
Detection of metastases and disease recurrence
Assessment of the success of therapy (chemotherapy, radiation)
Early detection of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)
Evaluation of heart diseases (myocardial vitality)
PET/CT is particularly useful when other diagnostic methods (CT, MR, ultrasound) cannot reliably distinguish between benign and malignant changes.
What PET/CT examinations can be done at CODRA hospital?
In accordance with modern protocols, it is possible to perform several specialized PET/CT examinations at the CODRA hospital, depending on the type of disease and clinical indication:
✅ FDG PET/CT
The standard and most commonly used PET scan that uses 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose. Intended for the detection of a wide range of cancers: lung, breast, colorectal cancer, lymphomas, melanomas, brain tumors.
It is also used to assess the response to therapy, detect relapses, as well as diagnose inflammatory and infectious processes.
✅ PSMA PET/CT
Specialized examination for the detection of prostate cancer, based on radioactive binding to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA).
It is used in:
initial evaluation of prostatic cancer
suspicion of disease recurrence after treatment
micrometastases mapping
PSMA PET/CT is the most sensitive method available for precise planning of therapy and surgical procedures in patients with prostate cancer.
✅ ADD PET/CT
It is used for the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors (NET).
This review uses 68Ga-DOTATATE which binds to somatostatin receptors, present in neuroendocrine cells.
It provides better visualization than conventional CT/MR and significantly influences therapeutic decisions (including PRRT therapy).
✅ DOPA PET/CT
Useful in specific neurological and oncological indications, including: parkinsonism and differentiation of Parkinson’s disease from other similar syndromes, certain adrenal tumors and childhood tumors (eg, pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma)
✅ NaF PET/CT (bone scan)
It is used to evaluate bone metastases – more sensitive and specific than classical scintigraphy of the skeleton.
Indicated for many types of cancer (breast, prostate, lung, kidney).
Why choose a PET/CT examination at CODRA hospital?
The first and only PET/CT machine in Montenegro.
The possibility of performing several types of specialized PET examinations
Multidisciplinary analysis in collaboration with leading oncologists, neurologists and urologists
Professional team with experience from international centers
Short appointment time and quick finding
What does a PET/CT examination look like?
After arrival and preparation, a specific radiopharmaceutical is administered intravenously to the patient (depending on the type of PET examination). This is followed by the absorption time (30–60 minutes), and then the recording itself on the PET/CT device, which lasts about 20 minutes.
Preparation for examination:
Arrival on an empty stomach (minimum 6 hours without food)
Taking more water before arrival
Previous medical documentation (findings, CD, laboratory)
Inform the staff about the therapies you are using
Free PET/CT examination for FZO insured persons
Thanks to the cooperation with the Health Insurance Fund of Montenegro, insured persons who meet the medical criteria have the right to a free PET/CT examination at the CODRA hospital, with a valid prescription from the doctor’s council.
To exercise this right, you must:
Have a valid prescription made by a medical council (specialist in the relevant field)
Being insured by the FZO of Montenegro
Attach previous medical documentation for review in order to schedule an appointment
For all information regarding instructions, appointments and documentation, contact our coordination team.
