Patient Instructions
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and CT (Computed Tomography) scans are standard imaging tools used to pinpoint disease states in the body. PET scans demonstrates the biological function of the body before anatomical changes take place, while the CT scan provides information about the body's anatomy such as size, shape and location. By combining these two scanning technologies, a PET/CT scan enables physicians to more accurately diagnose and identify cancers. It is very important that you follow instructions provided for the best possible imaging, if for any reason you have questions or have eaten, please contact our office prior to arrival.
Patient instructions:
PET/CT
- Please do not participate in strenuous exercise 24 hours prior to your scan.
- Nothing to eat (including gum and mints) or drink except water for 6 hours prior to your scan.
- Drink 16oz of water the night before your scan. Please do not drink flavored water.
- Drink 32oz of water 1-2 hours prior to your scan.
- Full bladder is not necessary do not retain urine.
- Allow 1½-2 hours for your study, the actual scan time varies from 15-30 minutes .
- We recommend warm comfortable clothing such as sweats, free of snaps, zippers and clasps.
- Insulin dependent patients please discontinue insulin for 6 hours prior to your scan, insulin alters the sensitivity of this scan if you are diabetic please discontinue glucophage/metformin the morning of the scan.
CT Abdomen/Pelvis
- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
- Please drink 16oz. of water the night before. Please do not drink flavored water.
- 32oz of water 1-2 hours prior to your scan.
- Full bladder not necessary do not retain water.
- We recommend warm comfortable clothing such as sweats, free of snaps, zippers and clasps.
CT Chest/Brain
- Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to your scan
- Please drink 32oz. of water 1-2 hours prior to your scan.