Preparation: |  | Required clinical data to schedule a PET/CT scan:
- Recent radiology scans (MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine and Chest X-Ray) reports and hard copy films.
- Radiology films from outside facilities, request patients to bring day of exam.
- The date and location of any Radiation Therapy or Chemotherapy treatments.
- If you are diabetic, current medications and how well controlled.
- Your height and weight. The equipment cannot accommodate patients over 450 pounds.
- Written physician order for the PET/CT scan.
Recommendations for patients currently undergoing treatment:
- Recent biopsies, surgeries dates, pathology reports and last dates of radiation treatments should be documented in the patient’s progress notes.
- Patients should be out 2 weeks form last chemotherapy, 2 weeks from steroids (example: Prednisone) and bone marrow stimulators (example: Neupogen).
Recommendations for patients with diabetes:
- Diabetic patients are scheduled within the period of time that blood sugar is under best control.
- If you are a diabetic, call 24 hours in advance and ask for a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
- The technologist will work directly with you concerning fasting and/or oral medicine (i.e. glucophage).
- If you are insulin-dependent, the scan is arranged in the late morning or early afternoon.
For non-diabetic patients:
- No food 4 hours prior to the appointed scan time.
- Drink 24-30 ounces of water over 2 hours before the scan. Black decaffeinated coffee (no cream, no sugar) is acceptable along with the water.
- Avoid all other beverages except plain water for at least 4 hours before the exam.
For all patients:
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Plan to be at the hospital from 2 to 3 hours.
- The pet scanner does not make any noise during the imaging exam.
- You may resume normal activities once they complete the PET/CT scan.
- 24 hour advance notice for rescheduling or cancellation of PET/CT exam is recommended.
- Technologist should be informed if there is any possibility of pregnancy and/or nursing.
- If you have a history of claustrophobia, consult with your referring physician.
Scheduling other tests:
- CT (a.m.) – IV contrast okay, NPO 4 hours.
- Nuclear Medicine (a.m.) – all Nuclear Medicine studies must be completed before the PET/CT scan.
- US, MRI, x-ray and mammograms can be scheduled either before or after the PET/CT scan. |