PET/CT

There are no patients restricted from having a PET/CT scan, and no dangers or side-effects. However, diabetic patients may require special arrangements to be safely treated with injected tracer materials, which may contain glucose.

A radiopharmaceutical injection, which contains a radioactive tracer, is standard for PET/CT exams. For most studies, patients will require 30 minutes to one hour for the radio pharmaceutical to distribute.
Patient Prepare for PET/CT Exam

Please follow these special instructions: 

• Do not eat or drink anything more than water for 4-6 hours before the exam, not even chewing gum.
• Patients who take medications may drink only water to swallow them.
• If a patient has been advised not to take medications on an empty stomach, they may eat nothing more than a few soda crackers within the 4-6 hours prior to the exam.
• Diabetic patients must be identified to our staff ahead of time so we can determine the safest possible way for them to prepare for their exam.
• If a patient feels feverish, please call this to our attention.