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What to Expect
What to Expect on the Day of Your Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
You can expect to be at the hospital or testing facility for 2 to 3 hours. Please wear comfortable clothing; however you may be asked to change into a gown. Please remember to bring your CT or other films if requested, your insurance cards and personal identification such as your driver’s license.
It is very important to arrive at the hospital or testing facility’s registration desk on time. Because the FDG breaks down so quickly, it can only be administered at your appointed time and cannot be stored for any length of time. Please call your hospital or testing facility at least 24 hours in advance if you need to reschedule your appointment. Failure to do so could result in you being charged for the wasted medication.
Technologist administering the FDG |
When you arrive you may be asked to complete some paperwork. Once your registration is complete, a technologist or nurse will start your IV. A technologist will administer the FDG through your IV.
You will be asked to wait 45-60 minutes while the FDG circulates. Unless otherwise instructed, it is permissible to read, watch television, or listen to music while you wait. |
If your exam requires that a Foley Catheter be inserted in your bladder and Lasix be given through your IV, a nurse will prepare you just prior to your scan.
Once the FDG has circulated, you will be escorted to the scanner by a nurse or technologist. You will then be scanned. The PET/CT scanner is similar to a CT scanner. It makes no noise and will not be painful. You will be made as comfortable as possible with pillows and blankets. Music is available at the patient’s discretion (no music is permitted for neurological exams).
View of scanner |
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Technologist performing scan on patient |
The total time in the scanner varies depending on the study that is being performed. A limited scan may take as little as 20 minutes, while a full body scan typically takes about 35 minutes. Please let the nurse or technologist know if you are claustrophobic. Although the enclosed space of the scanner is not deep, accommodations can be made to reduce or eliminate the time that your head passes through the scanner.
Once your scan is completed, you may be asked to wait a few minutes while the scan is reviewed. A nurse or technologist will escort you back to the waiting area where you will be permitted to leave the hospital or testing facility.
Leaving the testing area |
The results of your exam will be read by a radiologist and the report will be sent to your physician. You will receive the results from your physician within a few days. If you have any questions about the test or your results, please contact your physician.
Please call your hospital or testing facility if you need to reschedule your appointment. Failure to do so could result in a charge for the unused FDG.
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