Pre-Procedure Preparation for PET/CT Scans

 

Follow these instructions for FDG PET scans:

• Please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time. If you do not arrive on time, your appointment may need to be rescheduled or delayed.

• Hydrate well the day before and the day of your test. Drink as much plain water (no lemon or flavors) as you are comfortable drinking prior to your exam. Avoid caffeine for 24 hours prior to your exam.

• Do not eat or drink anything other than plain water six hours prior to your exam. This includes gum, mints, and candies.

• Do not engage in strenuous activity (weight lifting or running) 24 hours prior to your exam.

• Wear comfortable clothing with as little metal as possible and remove all piercings and jewelry from the area being scanned. Most appointments last approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours. The type of study will determine the exact length of your appointment.

• Take prescribed medications on the day of your test unless instructed not to do so. Avoid taking steroids, cough drops, or cough medicine.

• If you are pregnant or unsure of your pregnancy status, consult with your doctor prior to your test.

• You will rest quietly for 60 minutes while the radiotracer travels throughout your body. You may bring a book, phone, or tablet.  As a courtesy to other patients, please be sure to keep sound volume to a minimum. Headphones are preferred.

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Instructions for Diabetic patients in addition to the above preparation:

• The goal is to obtain a blood sugar less than 300 mg/dL on the day of your scan. Do not take insulin within six hours of your scan. Run insulin pumps at a basal rate for six hours prior to your appointment time. 

• Please follow a low carb diet 24 hours prior to your appointment. Please avoid rice, bread, pasta, potatoes, etc. as they are very high carb. 

• If your diabetes is controlled by oral medications only, you may take it as normal. 

• You may have a small high protein low carb meal a minimum of 6 hours prior to your appointment.

 

Most patients who are claustrophobic do well with a PET Scan. If you require medication to help with anxiety or claustrophobia, please speak with your physician prior to your appointment as we do not provide medications.

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Pre-Procedure Preparation for Specialty PET/CT Scan:

 

Follow these instructions for Ga68 DOTATATE scans:

• Please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time. If you do not arrive on time, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

• Hydrate well the day before and day of your test.

• Discontinue any short-acting somatostatin analog 24 hours prior to your appointment. Due to various reasons, your doctor may not have you discontinue the medication.

• Schedule your scan at least 14 days after your last octreotide injection. Due to various circumstances, your doctor may schedule it prior to the 14-day requirement.

• Wear clothes with little or no metal and you will not need to change into a gown.

• If you are pregnant or unsure of your pregnancy status, consult with your doctor prior to your test.

 

Follow these instructions for Cu64 DOTATATE scans:

• Please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time. If you do not arrive on time, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

• Hydrate well the day before and day of your test.

• Discontinue any short-acting somatostatin analog 24 hours prior to your appointment. Due to various reasons, your doctor may not have you discontinue the medication.

• Schedule your scan at least 14 days after your last octreotide injection. Due to various circumstances, your doctor may schedule it prior to the 14-day requirement.

• Wear clothes with little or no metal and you will not need to change into a gown.

• If you are pregnant or unsure of your pregnancy status, consult with your doctor prior to your test

 

Follow these instructions for PSMA PET/CT scans:

• Please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time. If you do not arrive on time, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

• Hydrate well the day before and the day of your test.

• Take medications as normal.

• Wear clothes with little or no metal and you will not need to change into a gown.

 

Follow these instructions for AMYLOID PET/CT scans (NEURACEQ/AMYVID):

• Please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time. If you do not arrive on time, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

• Hydrate well the day before and the day of your test.

• Take medications as normal.

• Wear clothes with little or no metal and you will not need to change into a gown.

• If you are pregnant or unsure of your pregnancy status, consult with your doctor prior to your test.
   

If you have any questions or concerns regarding what type of exam you are having or any of the preparation instructions above, please call our office at 571-601-2901.

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