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Preparing Patients
Patient Preparation Information For Positron Emission Tomography Study
1. What happens when I arrive for my PET/CT exam?
Please report to the reception desk at your appointed time. You will be asked questions about your medical history and any previous exams. Then you will receive an injection of a radiopharmaceutical, which is usually a sugar compound tagged with a short-lived radioisotope. In most studies, you will be asked to wait for approximately sixty 60 minutes while the radiopharmaceutical is distributed and begins to metabolize in your body. Once the radioisotope is distributed, scanning will proceed. For some scans you will also be administered other medications such as lasix, a diuretic, or salt water through a vein.
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2. What happens during the PET/CT scan?
You will be asked to lie on the scanner table, relax and be very still. The table will then slowly pass through the PET/CT scanner. The PET/CT scanner detects and records the rays emitted from the radioisotope. A computer reconstructs images based on the data collected by the scanner. The scanning time required depends on the scan your doctor ordered and varies from fifteen to sixty (15 – 60) minutes.
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3. Should I be concerned about radiation?
No, the radiation exposure one receives while undergoing a PET/CT exam is very small and well within the limits recommended by the FDA for radiological procedures. It is equivalent to what one might receive when undergoing certain CT scans or a spinal x-ray study.
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4. How long does the exam last?
Most patients should expect to spend at least two to three hours at the hospital, although the type of study being performed will determine the exact length of time. In most exams, patients are injected and wait for approximately sixty (60) minutes before scanning begins, and the scanning process varies from fifteen to sixty (15 – 60) minutes depending upon the scan your doctor ordered.
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5. Is there any preparation for the exam?
Yes, your physician will give you specific instructions, but the following describes preparations typical for each type of study. In all cases, you will be asked to wear comfortable clothing, and in many cases you will not change for the exam. In some cases a catheter or an IV may need to be placed to assure image quality. If you are a diabetic, pregnant or nursing, consult your physician for specific instructions prior to the exam.
- Brain Study:
No preparation is necessary
- Head and Neck Study:
No preparation is necessary
- Cardiology or Heart Study:
You must eat a normal meal before the study. Follow your normal medical regimen as directed by your doctor
- Breast or Lung Study:
You will be asked not to eat for a minimum of six (6) hours before the exam. Please do not chew gum, eat mints or anything with sugar or sugar substitutes during the six (6) hours before the exam because this could interfere with the results. You may drink a small amount of water and take normal medicines.
- For All Other Scans:
You will be asked not to eat or drink anything but water six to eight (6 – 8) hours before your exam. Please do not chew gum or use any mints because this could interfere with the results.
If you take medications, drink only enough plain water to swallow them. In some cases, your physician will write a prescription for a bowel preparation, Golytely. Follow the instructions you receive on the evening prior to your exam.
Please remember, the instructions described above are typical and do not replace specific instructions given to you by your physician or the hospital.
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6. What if I need to cancel my appointment?
If for any reason you are not able to keep your appointment, you must call the facility to cancel 24 hours in advance. The radiopharmaceutical is ordered specifically for your test. A charge may be imposed if you do not cancel the exam.
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7. How do I find out the results of my exam?
Your physician or healthcare provider will present the results of your exam as part of the normal course of treatment.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the staff at the facility where your study is scheduled.
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