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What is a PET/CT Scan?
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) /CT Scanning is a combined imaging technology that gives physicians a more precise tool to detect and diagnose cancer, heart disease or neurological diseases. It is a powerful cancer detection tool that combines the strengths of two well-established imaging modalities into one machine.
PET/CT is the most advanced medical imaging technique available today, combining Positron Emission Tomography with Computed Tomography. PET/CT combines the fine structural detail of CT with PET’s ability to detect changes in cell function. This combination allows for earlier and more accurate detection of disease than either CT or PET alone. A PET/CT scan helps your physician diagnose a problem, determine the best approach for treatment or monitor your progress.
How does PET/CT Scan work?
Cancer cells grow at a very fast rate. Growing cells use glucose as a primary source of energy. The faster cells grow, the more glucose is consumed. A form of glucose called FDG, which emits particles called positrons, is injected into the patient. The FDG molecules are consumed more in fast-growing cancer cells than in normal cells, resulting in concentrations of FDG and positrons in areas of cancer.
A PET/CT scanner detects where positrons are being emitted from within a patient and provides images that map the locations. PET FDG mapping is combined with a CT image’s structural detail in order to identify both the presence of disease and its precise location.Combining the two techniques greatly benefits the patients. Now physicians can not only tell which cells are cancerous, they can pinpoint where the cells are, so they can precisely target the treatment. We're proud to bring this sophisticated new technology to you and your loved ones and advance our mission of providing better healthcare. |
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How should I prepare?
A PET/CT Scan uses very small amounts of glucose, which is simply sugar, to make images from within the body. The food you eat affect your blood sugar, foods that cause higher blood sugar levels tend to make the test results less accurate. *Patients with diabetes have better tests if they follow these instructions carefully.
The day prior to your appointment;
Your last meal before the scan should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates. For example should eat foods high in protein such as steak, baked chicken, fish, cheese, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms. Please avoid eating foods high in carbohydrates such as pasta, potatoes, rice or bread. No breakfast should be eaten if you have an appointment before noon. Avoid caffeine, sugar, tobacco and heavy exercise for 24 hours prior to your exam.
The day of your appointment;
For six hours before your test, do not eat or drink (except water). This includes chew gum, hard candy, breath mints, and tobacco products. Please avoid strenuous exercise. Dress comfortably in layers to stay warm as some scanner rooms are cool. Please avoid large buttons and metal objects on your clothing. Generally, you will not have to change out of your clothes for this procedure.
Regular and long acting insulin should not be taken within 2 hours of your appointment.
Oral medications should be taken as prescribed. A high blood sugar reading could cause your scan to be cancelled and rescheduled. If you begin to feel sick, and attribute this to a drop in blood sugar, eat a few saltine / soda crackers and elevate your legs.
Continue to take any medication prescribed by your physician. If you have been advised to take your medications with food, eat nothing more than a few soda crackers and water six hours prior to your exam.
It is also important to be well hydrated. Hydration is a very important requirement that can improve the quality of your test. Please drink plenty of water before your exam. You may use the restroom as needed and will be asked to do so just prior to your exam.
If you have diabetes, please discuss this with your physician. If you are or think you may be pregnant, discuss this with your physician. Generally, PET/CT is not performed on pregnant women. |
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What should I expect during the procedure?
Our staff will interview you to discuss your medical history, and check your blood sugar when you arrive for your appointment. If your blood sugar levels are high, our radiologist will review your history and may advise rescheduling your scan.
While a PET/CT scan requires an IV to be started, it is otherwise painless with no side effects. A technologist will give you a very small amount of radioactive sugar through your IV. Please feel free to ask your technologist any questions about your test.
You will sit or lie comfortably for 30-45 minutes after the technologist gives you the radioactive sugar. You will be asked to use the rest room. Typical scan times are often less than 30 minutes, however you need to plan on being available for approximately 2 hours for the entire process.
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What to expect after the exam?
You may leave as soon as the exam is complete. Unless instructed otherwise, you will be able to eat and drink immediately after the exam. Be sure to drink a lot of water soon after the exam to help remove any of the radioactive sugar that may still be in your system.
How do I get my results?
After your study is complete, our board certified radiologist will evaluate the image results and send a full report to your doctor, who will discuss the results with you. |
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