Bluegrass Regional Imaging

PET/CT scanning

PET scans have many uses. They can help diagnose and monitor various conditions and diseases, including:

Cancer

PET scans may be used to help:

• detect cancer
• see if cancer has spread to other organs and tissues
• check how well a treatment is working
• check if cancer has come back after treatment

Heart problems

PET scans can help detect:

• problems with blood flow
• damage to the heart following a heart attack

Brain disorders

PET scans can be used to help:

• diagnose Alzheimer's disease and other memory disorders
• see which area of the brain is causing seizures and help evaluate if surgery is an option

PET scans can help health-care providers find problems early and determine the best method of treatment!!

What is a PET/CT Scan?

• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a noninvasive procedure that can locate abnormal biochemistry in a patient.
• In cancer, changes in biochemistry occur before a tumor mass forms. As a result, PET can often identify the presence of disease earlier than a test which looks for a tumor mass.
• PET, now used in combination with CT (PET/CT combination scanner), is a remarkable advance in medical imaging, applicable in assessing patients with cancer, coronary heart disease and neurological disorders.
• PET/CT can precisely localize areas of abnormal biochemistry allowing early diagnosis in patients.

How Does PET/CT Work?

• 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 radioactive glucose called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which emits particles called positrons, is injected before a PET study is started.
• PET and FDG are used to produce a map of where glucose is consumed in the body.
• A PET scanner detects where positrons are being emitted from a patient.
• A radiologist interprets the map (image). Areas which demonstrate high use of glucose, help to determine the presence of cancer.

What to Expect

• After registering, you will go to a preparation area where a PET technologist will insert a small i.v. line into your arm.
• A small amount of FDG, a form of glucose, will be injected through the i.v. line. This is painless.
• You will rest quietly without speaking for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the FDG to distribute in your body.
• Your scan will take approximately 45 minutes.

What to Bring and Wear

Bring with you:

• Insurance cards
• All current medications
• Previous CT scans, x-rays, and prior
• PET exams
• Medical history
• Pathology reports
• Wear warm, comfortable clothes, since the scanner room is cool.
• Avoid clothes with heavy buckles or metal components.
• PLEASE BRING YOUR CT/MRI SCANS WITH YOU
  

Arrive on time

• BRI staff will contact and instruct you of the time to arrive the day of your appointment.
• If you must cancel or reschedule, please do so at least 24 hours before your appointment.

After Your Scan

• You can leave immediately.
• 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 Bluegrass Regional Imaging Radiologist who will send a report to your doctor.
• Your doctor will contact you about the results of your PET/CT scan.

Steps for a Successful PET/CT Scan

• Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to exam. The patient may drink water. For the meal prior to the exam, the patient needs to eat a high protein diet (no pasta, breads, or starch).
• Do not chew gum, eat candy or have any sugar the day of the exam.
• Take your usual medications with water. No vigorous exercise 24 hours prior to the exam.
• No smoking 12 hours prior to the exam.
• No caffeine 12 prior to the exam.
• Wear comfortable clothing and leave jewelry at home.
• Tell your doctor if you are diabetic.
  If diabetic and blood sugar is not below 200 with diet, and patient is on insulin, take insulin and eat a light meal. Fast for 6 hours before scan. Bluegrass Regional Imaging staff will contact you 1-2 days prior to scheduled exam to discuss this with you.
• No Chemotherapy for 4 weeks prior to exam.
• No biopsies one week prior to exam.
• No radiation treatment 4 weeks prior to exam.
• No surgeries one month prior to exam.
• Failure to follow these guideline may jeopardize the accuracy of your test!
• DO NOT EAT OR DRINK (OTHER THAN WATER) FOR 6 HOURS BEFORE THE TEST.

Dietary Guidelines & Suggestions Prior to PET/CT

• Patients may not eat or drink (other than water) for 6 hours before the test.
  
• The day before the PET study, the patient should eat a high protein meal such as:
  grilled steak
  salami
  broccoli
  baked chicken
  cheese
  sauteed mushrooms
  salmon filet
  grilled or steamed asparagus
• The patient may not have:
  pasta
  potatoes
  rice
  bread
• The patient may drink up to 2 glasses of red wine or diet soda.
• The patient must drink lots of water!
• For breakfast (as long as not within 6 hours of test time):
  2 eggs any style
  bacon, sausage
  black coffee
  plenty of water.
• Failure to follow these guidelines will jeopardize your test!

Clinical Indications of PET-CT