Risk Factors for Complications During the Procedure
If you are allergic to the radioactive substance administered for a PET scan, you may be at risk for complications.
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
Wear comfortable clothes.
Do not eat or drink anything except water for at least four hours before the scan.
Check with your doctor about taking your regular medications.
If you have
diabetes
, ask the doctor for specific diet recommendations for test day since accurate results depend on normal body chemistry levels.
Tell your doctor if you might be pregnant.
During Procedure
You will lie still on a table while the scan takes place.
Anesthesia
No anesthesia is necessary.
Description of the Procedure
A nurse or technologist administers a radioactive substance. This may be done through an injection, or in some cases, you will be asked to breathe in a gas with the substance. The compound travels through the blood to the area of the body under study. It takes between 30 to 90 minutes for the substance to be absorbed by the tissue under study. Once the substance has been absorbed, the scan can take place.
You lie on a table and are moved into a machine that looks like a large, square-shaped doughnut. This machine detects and records the energy levels emitted from the substance that was injected earlier. The images are viewed on a nearby computer monitor. The scan lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. You may be asked to perform specific tasks before or during the test. For example, during a heart PET scan, you may be asked to walk on a treadmill.
After Procedure
Drink plenty of fluids to help the radioactive substance pass from your body.
How Long Will It Take?
The whole procedure takes at least two hours.
Will It Hurt?
Except for the pinprick associated with the injection, a PET scan is a painless procedure. People who are
claustrophobic
(uncomfortable in closed or tight spaces) may experience some anxiety.
Possible Complications
The only possible complication is an allergic reaction to the radioactive substance.
Average Hospital Stay
You will not be admitted to the hospital for a PET scan. It is an outpatient procedure.
Postoperative Care
No special post-procedure care is necessary.
Outcome
The images show activity levels as different colors or degrees of brightness. If the test has been ordered to look for a cancer, brighter colors may indicate a tumor. A radiologist with training in PET interpretation will review the images and send the results to your doctor. It may take a few days for your doctor to receive the report.
Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs
Call your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms, such as rash, itching, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms may indicate an allergic reaction to the radioactive substance.
RESOURCES:
RadiologyInfo, Radiological Society of North America http://www.radiologyinfo.org
Society of Nuclear Medicine http://interactive.snm.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html
University Helath Network http://www.uhn.ca/index.asp
References:
National Institutes of Health website. Available at:
http://www.nih.gov/
.
Primary Care Medicine
. 4th ed. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins; 2000.
Radiological Society of North America website. Available at:
http://www.rsna.org/
.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
