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No anesthesia is used. In some instances, if you have a history of anxiety
in small, enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), you may be given a light
sedative to help calm your anxiety and help you relax.
Following the injection, you will be asked to sit quietly for 45-60
minutes. This allows the drug to distribute in your body. You will then
be positioned on a table for the actual scan. You will receive another
injection of enhancing agent (used for the CT portion of the scan). You
may notice warmth and flushing when the tracer is injected—this is
normal. If you are allergic to either of the substances injected, you could
have an allergic reaction. This can be treated with antihistamines and/or
steroid medications. Rarely, an individual with already-existing kidney
disease may experience further kidney damage.
You will then be imaged on the PET-CT scanner for approximately 30-
40 minutes. The table will move slowly through a doughnut-shaped ring.
You will need to lie still while the images are being taken. Later on, the
technologist will process the scan and the images are made available
for the radiologist to read. Every PET-CT scan is reviewed and
correlated by both a board certified Nuclear Medicine Physician and a
board certified Radiologist. Test results will be forwarded to your
physician within 1-2 days.
You may go home when the study is finished and resume your regular
diet and medication. You are encouraged to drink water to help clear
the radioactivity from your body. If you have received sedation during
the course of the exam, you will need someone to drive you home from
the exam.
in small, enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), you may be given a light
sedative to help calm your anxiety and help you relax.
Following the injection, you will be asked to sit quietly for 45-60
minutes. This allows the drug to distribute in your body. You will then
be positioned on a table for the actual scan. You will receive another
injection of enhancing agent (used for the CT portion of the scan). You
may notice warmth and flushing when the tracer is injected—this is
normal. If you are allergic to either of the substances injected, you could
have an allergic reaction. This can be treated with antihistamines and/or
steroid medications. Rarely, an individual with already-existing kidney
disease may experience further kidney damage.
You will then be imaged on the PET-CT scanner for approximately 30-
40 minutes. The table will move slowly through a doughnut-shaped ring.
You will need to lie still while the images are being taken. Later on, the
technologist will process the scan and the images are made available
for the radiologist to read. Every PET-CT scan is reviewed and
correlated by both a board certified Nuclear Medicine Physician and a
board certified Radiologist. Test results will be forwarded to your
physician within 1-2 days.
You may go home when the study is finished and resume your regular
diet and medication. You are encouraged to drink water to help clear
the radioactivity from your body. If you have received sedation during
the course of the exam, you will need someone to drive you home from
the exam.
" you are scintillating"
The entire PET-CT scan takes about a
total of two-three hours to complete. The
staff will take a small blood sugar sample
and place an intravenous line (IV) for a
simple injection of the radioactive tracer
(FDG). The placement of the IV line will
be slightly painful, but there should be no
other pain involved. You will feel no side
effects from the radioactive injection. You
will also receive two bottles of oral
contrast agent to drink.
total of two-three hours to complete. The
staff will take a small blood sugar sample
and place an intravenous line (IV) for a
simple injection of the radioactive tracer
(FDG). The placement of the IV line will
be slightly painful, but there should be no
other pain involved. You will feel no side
effects from the radioactive injection. You
will also receive two bottles of oral
contrast agent to drink.