Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Computed Tomography (CT)

A PET/CT scan utilizes a glucose (sugar) tracer to obtain a metabolic scan of the body.

In many cancers, metabolic changes occur before tumor masses form. As a result, combining the technology of PET and CT can often identify the presence of disease earlier than other exams. This exam is not performed on pregnant women.

Before Your Procedure

• Do not do any heavy exercise (jogging, aerobics, shoveling snow or other workouts), 24 hours before your exam. Exercise will make your pictures less accurate.
• Do not eat or drink (except for water) for 6 hours before the exam.
• Do not chew gum or suck on mints.
• If you need to take your medications with food, you may take them with a few crackers.
• Your last meal should consist of high protein and low carbohydrate foods.
• Be well hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Other fluids are not permitted.
• Continue taking your normal medications.
• Patients must have a blood sugar under 200 at the start of the exam. Diabetic patients should take any oral medications needed to ensure this glucose level.
• Insulin must be held for 6 hours before the exam. If this will be a problem, please call the Nuclear Medicine department at the number listed below.
• If you must cancel or reschedule your appointment, please do so as soon as possible.

During Your Procedure

• On the day of your exam, wear warm, loose-fitting clothing without metal zippers, snaps or clasps.
• A technologist will answer any questions you may have the day of the exam.
• They will check your blood sugar by a small poke in your fingertip.
• An IV will be started in your arm to administer the FDG (our metabolic tracer).
• After the injection, you will need to rest quietly in a recliner for 60-90 minutes while the tracer circulates in your body.
• You will then be asked to empty your bladder before beginning the scan.
• You will be positioned on a table that passes through the scanner.
• The scan time is 20-30 minutes.

After Your Procedure

• You may resume your regular diet and activities.
• Your doctor will be contacted with the results of your test and will discuss the results with you.