What to expect
Before
You need a referral from your specialist to be able to book an appointment for this scan.
You will be advised when you make your appointment on any necessary preparations for your scan.
All patients are required to present 15 minutes prior to their appointment time in order to complete all relevant paperwork.
During
The scan itself takes approximately 20-40 minutes, but you will need to allow 2-3 hours for the entire PET-CT appointment.
When you arrive, you will be given a questionnaire to complete. The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will explain the entire process, answer any questions or concerns you may have and make sure you are comfortable.
You will be asked to change into a gown and to remove metallic objects such as jewelery and hearing aids.
An IV line will be placed in your arm and the tracer is injected through the line. After the injection, depending on the type of tracer, you may have to wait up to one hour before you are ready for your images.
The PET scanner detects the radiation released from the radioactive injection and uses this to create pictures of your body. The CT scan will image the anatomy and alterations in structure related to disease.
After
The amount of radioactivity administered for the PET scan is small and will be flushed out of your system by the end of the day. However, because it takes a few hours to leave your system, we suggest you minimise contact with others (especially children and pregnant women) for 4 hours following your scan.
You can resume your normal activities and diet after the examination. Drink plenty of fluids for the rest of the day, as this will help clear any remaining tracer from your body.
The results of your scan will be sent to your doctor, electronically, as soon as possible. If you require urgent results, please let the receptionist and the technologist know. You can also request a copy of your results.