PET

What Is PET?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) images can provide important information about many conditions affecting the heart, brain, and other organs, which will help your doctor plan appropriate treatment for you.

PET images are different than those from more conventional imaging equipment, such as X-ray, CT, ultrasound, or MRI. These images show what the tissues look like. PET images contain information about tissue function.

How Does The Procedure Work?

To begin the procedure, a small amount of radioactive glucose is injected into your bloodstream.

There is no danger to you from this injection. Glucose (also known as sugar) is a common substance every cell in your body needs in order to function. Radioactive glucose must pass multiple quality control measures before it is used for any patient injection. The radiation exposure associated with PET is similar to that associated with a conventional CT scan.

After the injection, you will wait approximately one hour while the injected material is distributed throughout your body.

Then, you 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.

Can I Eat Or Drink Before My Scan?

This will depend on the type of study, but typically you will be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your scan.

How Much Time Should I Allow?

You can expect to be in the PET center for 1 1/2 to three hours. The actual scan itself takes far less time.

What Should I Do To Prepare?

For your comfort and peace of mind, please be sure to:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, or if you are a nursing mother.
• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Tell your doctor if you are diabetic.
• You may wear hearing aids, glasses or dentures to the PET center. However, leave valuables at home or in your patient room.
• Take any prescribed medications on the day of your test unless instructed not to do so.
• Ask your doctor if you should eat after midnight on the day prior to the scan.
• Avoid all beverages with caffeine and sugar.
• Usual preparation involves fasting for six hours prior to the scan

How Will I Feel Afterward?

You should feel fine. There are no side effects from the injected tracer. If you have a heart scan, you may feel flushed afterward.

How Do I Get My Results?

The studies are read after the PET scan is completed. You will receive a report from your physician.