HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE EXAM? Preparation and
length of a PET/CT exam will depend on the type of scan your physician ordered.
In general, please follow the guidelines below:
Prior to the exam,
please inform the technologist if you are:
- Pregnant or breast-feeding
- Diabetic
- Asthmatic
- Claustrophobic
- If you have ever encountered an allergic reaction
to an enhancing agent or iodine.
Additional Guidelines:
- No exercise is recommended 24 hours prior to the
exam.
- Do not eat or drink anything except water four to
six hours prior to your exam.
- If you are taking medications, use only water to
help you swallow.
- Eat a low-carb meal the night before the exam.
- Wear warm comfortable clothing, preferably without
zippers.
- Your visit typically will be no more than three
hours.
- Family members are welcome, but will not be
allowed in the room once the exam starts.
- If you are unable to make it to your exam, please
call ADI before 6 p.m. on the day prior to your scheduled appointment.
- It is important that you arrive to your
appointment on time.
- Please contact us at 319.236.2700, if you
have any questions regarding your procedure.
Case Studies
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PET/CT
WHAT IS PET/CT?
PET/CT
combines two scanning techniques, PET and CT. The PET (positron emission
tomography) shows different body functions while the CT (computed tomography)
scan provides a detailed view of structural anatomy. The combined technology
enables physicians to obtain highly-defined 3D images of the body.
WHY DO I NEED A PET/CT EXAM?
One of the best ways to fight
disease is through early detection. PET/CT exams enable physicians to diagnose
potential health issues and identify the best plan of treatment. A PET/CT scan
may help reduce the need for additional biopsies or surgical procedures.
Prior to your exam, you will receive an injection of FDG
(fluorodeoxyglucose), which is a harmless low-dose radiolabeled sugar. This is
used to see how quickly the substance gets processed in your body. Diseased
cells process the material more rapidly than the healthy tissue.
The PET
scan captures the reaction and helps your physician identify the problem areas.
When the functional images from PET are combined with the structural map from
the coordinating CT scan, your physician can make an accurate diagnosis.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING A PET/CT EXAM?
Our technologist
or your physician will explain the details regarding your upcoming exam. In
general, here is what can be expected:
- Prior to the exam, you will receive a small
injection of FDG in your arm. Following the injection, you will be asked to
relax for one to two hours so the sugar can circulate.
- You will be asked to lie still during the exam. Any
movement can interfere with the results.
- In order to acquire the best possible images, the
table may move during the procedure. You may hear some noise coming from the
scanner, but you should not be alarmed.
- The CT portion of the exam is first, followed by
the PET scan.
- The technologist will process the pictures. Once
the images are analyzed by ADI’s board certified, fellowship trained
radiologists, the results will be sent to your referring physician.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER THE EXAM?
Following the PET/CT exam, it is important that you drink plenty of
liquid. This will help clear your body of the radiolabeled sugar.
Unless otherwise specified, you can resume all normal activities after
leaving ADI. |
