It's a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothes. It may be possible to wear these during the scan, although sometimes you may be asked to change into a hospital gown. Avoid wearing jewellery and clothes that have metal parts, such as zips, because these will need to be removed.
To produce accurate results, patients need to prepare for a PET/CT scan: Do not wear clothing with snaps, zippers, buckles, or any other large pieces of metal, and do not wear jewelry. These items could potentially interfere with the scanning procedure.
During a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, you lie on a narrow table that slides into a doughnut-shaped hole. The scanner takes about 30 minutes to produce detailed images of metabolic activity in your tissues and organs.
Can I brush my teeth before a PET/CT scan? Normal brushing without swallowing mouthwash or toothpaste within the four hour preparation timeframe will have no effect on the outcome of your PET/CT scan.
The scan is completely painless, but you may feel uncomfortable lying still for this long. If you feel unwell at any point there is a buzzer you can press to alert the medical team.
Specific protocols may vary, but generally a PET scan follows this process: You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the scan. If you are asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.
You shouldn't experience any side effects after having a PET scan and can usually go home the same day. The results of your scan won't usually be available on the same day.
Avoid exercising 24 hours before the scan. Follow a special diet for 12 to 24 hours before the scan. Don't drink or eat anything, except water, for 6 hours before the scan.
Please relax and limit your movement during this time and stay warm. You can sleep, listen to music, or watch videos in the area provided for you. However, if you are receiving a brain scan, do not watch videos or listen to music.
Then, the patient will be asked to lie on a table that passes slowly through the scanner. The scanner resembles a CT scanner, but has a much larger opening. Some people fall asleep during the scan.
How long does a PET scan take? A PET scan will take about 60 to 90 minutes for the radiotracer to start working, depending on what type of information your doctor is looking for. Once you're ready to start the scan, you'll be asked to lie on your back on a platform.
Your scan will be looked at by a specialist doctor and you should get your results within 1 or 2 weeks. You won't get any results at the time of the scan. Waiting for results can make you anxious. Ask your doctor or nurse how long it will take to get them.
If a PET scan is not funded by Medicare, patients have to pay between $800 and $1000.
If you're having a brain PET-CT, it is important to limit brain activity before your scan. Your nurse may tell you not to read or listen to music while you're waiting for your scan. Your care team will ask you to urinate (pee) just before your scan.
PET scans detect areas of activity (like cell growth) in the body. More radioactive material collects in cancer cells than normal cells and will appear brighter on the image. Not all cancers show up on a PET scan. PET scan results are often used with other imaging and lab test results.
CT scans and PET scans can trigger symptoms of claustrophobia prior to the scan, with symptoms continuing once the scan is complete even if the patient has experienced this type of procedure before.
Preparing for a PET Scan
Follow a limited carbohydrate diet for 24 hours before the scan. Do not eat or drink anything six hours before the test, except water. Drink as much water as you can until you reach the diagnostic centre or the hospital. Contact your insurance company to know if it will pay for the scan.
A PET scan can show the size, shape, and function of the brain, so your doctor can make sure it is working as well as it should. It is most often used when other tests, such as MRI scan or CT scan, do not provide enough information.
Do not eat or drink anything, except water, for 6 hours before the exam. You may drink water, as much water as you can would be helpful, until arrival. Routine medications may be taken, unless you have been instructed otherwise.
You will be asked to eat a low carbohydrate diet. Foods that can be eaten include: meat, hard cheese, tofu, eggs, butter and vegetables with no starch. Some foods that are NOT allowed include: cereal, pasta, milk, breads and other sugars.
The major drawback to standard PET is that the images are of substantially lower resolution than, for example, those of CT and MRI, and PET is generally poor at delineating anatomic detail.
The scan usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes but you can expect to be in the PET imaging department for between 2 and 3 hours. Before the scan, you should: ask about any food and drink restrictions before your scan. bring any previous x-ray or radiology images you have.
PET-CT Precautions
If undergoing a combination PET-CT scan, the iodine-based contrast dye used for the CT component can cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headache, itching, flushing, and mild rash. In rare cases, a serious, all-body allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis may occur.