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.