PET-CT Scan

1. Detecting and staging of various cancers.
2. Determine blood flow and viability of heart muscle.
3. Evaluate brain abnormalities, such as tumours, memory disorders and seizures and other central nervous system disorders.
4. Assessment of treatment response and follow up.
5. In research and new drug development.

Blood test: S. Creatinine report done no later than two weeks before.

Diet Instructions-

24 Hours Prior to Your Appointment:

• Consume protein-rich diet i.e., Milk, Non-starchy vegetables, Paneer, Eggs, Zero calorie beverages.
• Drink water to stay hydrated.
• Avoid intake of bread, pastry, cereal, potatoes, pasta, rice, soy products.
• Avoid Fruit (no tomatoes), desserts, cakes, flavoured yoghurt.
• Avoid soft drinks, juices, beer, alcoholic beverages.
• Avoid vitamins, strenuous exercise, caffeine or tobacco products

6-8 Hours Prior to Your Appointment:

• Nothing to eat or drink (except water) after midnight.
• No other liquids or caffeine’s should be taken.
• All necessary medications may be taken with water.
• If you are diabetic, ask your doctor about diet and medication, including withholding insulin for 4 hours prior to the exam (with the exception of an insulin pump, which is permitted). Carefully monitor and control your blood sugar for 48 hours before the scan.
• Insulin should not be taken within 4 hours of your appointment time.

Day of Appointment:

• You are advised to drink plenty of water before the exam. Intake of any other liquid is discouraged – it may adversely affect exam quality.
• Our staff will check your blood sugar & Creatinine when you arrive for your scan. If your blood sugar or Creatinine is high, a technologist will review your history and may advise rescheduling your scan.
• The PET-CT room is maintained at a low temperature. Please wear warm clothing, and do not carry any metal object.
• You may wear your hearing aid, glasses and dentures to your appointment.
• Carry all your previous reports & scans i.e.:- CT, MRI, Biopsy, Sonography, Indoor patient file, etc.

The FDG Tracer

• To begin your scan, the technologist will inject a safe, low dose of short-lived Positron-Emitting isotope of a glucose compound (FDG or F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose) into a vein in your arm. You will then be directed to sit in the waiting room while the FDG tracer disperses throughout your body.
• This process usually takes about 60 minutes.

Scanning

• Your technologist will then bring you into the PET-CT scan room where you will lie down on the imagining table. The technologist will position the part of your body to be scanned.
• The PET-CT scanner does not touch you, nor do you feel anything. The technologist leaves the room but can see you at all times from the observation window in the adjoining room. In order to position you correctly for the scanner, you will feel the patient table move slightly 5 to 6 times during the scan. It is important for you to lie as still as possible.

• You may resume your normal diet and activities immediately following your procedure. All traces of radioactive glucose leave your system over the course of a day.
• Drinking plenty of water will help you flush your systems more quickly.