 Why
do I need this exam?
A PET/CT exam
helps your physician diagnose a disease and determine its extent
or activity; it also helps your physician choose the best treatment
options and may help in monitoring your response to the selected
treatment.
Just ask your
physician what he or she hopes to learn from your PET /CT exam.
What
can I expect during the PET/CT scan procedure?
It is a two
part procedure which takes approximately two hours. After reviewing
your history and any prior exam, you'll receive an injection of
a positron-emitting form of glucose (sugar). Glucose is a common
substance every cell in your body needs in order to function.
For most studies,
you'll have to wait for the glucose to distribute throughout your
body - typically about an hour. You will rest in a quiet comfortable
room during this time.
Can
I eat or drink before my scan?
Typically, you
will be asked not to eat anything for 6 hours before your scan (unless
you are diabetic and on insulin). Drink plenty of water the day
before the exam as well as the day of the exam up until you arrive
for your appointment. It is important to follow the specific instructions
on the back of the exam request form.
What
should I do to prepare?
Notify Radiology
Associates before your appointment and also tell the technologists
when you arrive for your appointment if you are pregnant or think
you might be pregnant.
Wear comfortable clothing.
Tell your doctor and the technologist if you are diabetic. Try to
come to your appointment with a normal glucose level.
Wear your hearing aid, glasses, or dentures to the PET/CT scan facility.
However, leave valuables at home, or with a relative.
Unless instructed not to do so, take your normally prescribed medication
the day of the scan.
Avoid beverages with caffeine or sugar for the 24 hours preceding
your appointment.
Allow yourself plenty of time to get to your appointment. Relax
and don't over exert yourself.
What
will the scan be like?
When you're
ready for scanning, you will lie on a comfortable table that moves
slowly through the ring-like PET/CT scanner as it acquires the information
needed to generate diagnostic images. You will be asked to lie very
still, because movement can interfere with the results.
You shouldn't
feel a thing during the scan, which can last anywhere from 20 to
30 minutes. Then, unless the physician sees a need for acquiring
additional information, you will be free to leave.
What
happens after the exam?
You may leave
as soon as the scan is complete. Unless you've received special
instructions, you'll be able to eat and drink immediately - drinking
lots of fluids will help remove any of the radiopharmaceutical that
may still be in your system.
In the meantime,
your results will be prepared for review and the findings forwarded
to your physician, who will tell you what has been learned.
Are
there risks associated with PET/CT?
A PET/CT study
is similar to many other diagnostic procedures such as CT or Nuclear
Medicine exams. A relatively small amount of radiation exposure
does occur and is roughly equivalent to what you'd receive from
other diagnostic imaging exams such as a CT scan.
Radiopharmaceuticals
used in PET/CT don't remain in your system long, so there's no reason
to avoid interacting with other people once you've left. To be extra
safe, wait for a few hours before getting too close to an infant,
child, or anyone who's pregnant.
Consult
your physician or contact us
with any additional questions or concerns.
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