General Questions

• PET/CT is one of the most advanced medical imaging techniques available today, combining Positron Emission Tomography with Computed Tomography.

• PET/CT combines CT's fine anatomical detail with PET's ability to detect biochemical abnormalities in the cell. This combination allows for earlier and more accurate detection of disease than either CT or PET alone.

• A PET/CT scan helps your physician diagnose a problem, determine the best approach to treatment and monitor your progress.

• Some of the common uses of PET imaging are:

  • For Oncology (cancer): Diagnosis, staging and restaging of tumors

  • For Cardiovascular (heart): Myocardial perfusion imaging; myocardial viability imaging

  • For Central Nervous (brain): Dementia, epilepsy and tumor

  • For Skeletal(bone): Bone scanning

• Cancer cells grow at a very fast rate.

• Growing cells use glucose as a primary source of energy. The faster cells grow, the more glucose is consumed.

• A form of glucose called FDG, which emits particles called positrons, is injected before a PET/CT study is performed.

• More FDG molecules are consumed in fast-growing cancer cells than in normal cells, resulting in concentrations of FDG, and positrons, in areas of cancer.

• A PET/CT scanner detects where positrons are being emitted from within a patient and provides images that map the locations.

• PET FDG mapping is combined with a CT image's structural detail in order to identify both the presence of disease and its precise location.

Appointment Questions

• Refer to the Patient Preparation Instructions.

• Because FDG is based on glucose distribution, it is important to restrict your food intake prior to the scan. Please be sure to review and follow the preparation instructions prior to your PET/CT.

• Bring your insurance cards and photo identification.

• Bring films or digital images of any previous PET/CT exams.

• Wear warm and comfortable clothes, especially in the winter.

• Avoid clothes with heavy buckles or metal components.

• Scan time for a PET/CT exam is usually 25-30 minutes, but you are scheduled for an appointment at the Adler Imaging facility that spans between 2 ½ to 3 hours. This is due to the need to rest quietly for about 90 minutes in a private patient suite while the F-18 FDG circulates throughout the body. Individual televisions are installed in each private patient suite for your use while you wait.

• A brief summary follows. For more detail on what to expect while you are at Adler Imaging for your PET/CT, click here.

  • After registering, you will go to a private patient suite where a technologist will insert a small IV into your arm.

  • A small amount of F-18 FDG, a form of glucose, will be injected through the IV. This is painless.

  • You will rest quietly for about 60 minutes in the private patient suite while the F-18 FDG circulates throughout the body.

  • After resting, you will be escorted to the scanning room. A technologist will help you onto a comfortable table on the PET/CT scanner, which will move slowly while your images are taken. The scanner is open on both ends.

• Most patients who have experienced claustrophobia are still able to feel comfortable during a PET/CT scan at Adler Imaging. The scanner is open at both ends and has bore clearance for patients up to 450 pounds. It is a quiet study, and if you would like to bring your favorite CD of relaxing music, we can play it for you in the scanning room while your images are taken.

• If you think you will still feel claustrophobic, contact your primary physician for an appropriate prescription, have it filled, and bring it with you. Do not take the medication before you arrive. Notify the staff that you brought medication for your claustrophobia when you check in at the front desk -- the technologist will later help you to take the medication at the appropriate time. After the scan, make sure you have a ride home from your appointment.

• You may leave immediately after your scan.

• Your activity will not be restricted. You may drive if you wish, resume your normal diet, exercise and take all prescribed medications.

• As an extra precaution, avoid getting close to an infant or anyone who is pregnant for eight hours immediately following the scan.

• The PET/CT scan will be reviewed by a physician who will send a report to your doctor.

• Your doctor will contact you about the results of your PET/CT scan.

• Your activity will not be restricted. You may drive if you wish, resume your normal diet, exercise and take all prescribed medications.

• Your referring physician will receive the report from your scan within 24-48 hours after your appointment. Your referring physician will review the results with you.

Scheduling Questions

• Adler Imaging will coordinate with your referring physician to process all the paperwork required to schedule your PET/CT exam and obtain precertification from your insurance prior to your appointment. You do not need an additional referral

• Adler Imaging accepts all insurance coverage. Over the last few years, insurance companies have broadened their coverage of the different types of existing PET scans allowing more patient access to PET scans. Therefore, most PET scans for cancer evaluation should be covered. Additional coverage may be available for heart viability and brain disorders. This will be reviewed by Adler Imaging with your physician's office prior to your exam. Coverage amounts may vary depending on your insurance plan. You should contact your insurance carrier with any questions regarding your coverage.

Safety Questions

• A PET/CT exam is a safe procedure. The quantity of radiation is low and the radiopharmaceutical used in PET/CT, F-18 FDG, degrades quickly so it is not in your system long.

• Yes, but the exposure is minimal and your physician has determined that the medical benefits from an accurate diagnosis or staging of your disease warrant the test being performed. A form of glucose called F-18 FDG, which emits particles called positrons, is injected before a PET/CT study is performed.

• Most patients do not experience any side effects from an F-18 FDG injection. PET/CT scanning is very safe and you are not expected to experience any major side effects from the injection. Due to the PET/CT agent's radioactive nature, it will clear your body's system in a short period of time.