PET/CT Scan Preparations Hollywood | PET Imaging Institute

Preparing for Your PET Scan Experience

Please Follow Preps for the Correct Type of PET/CT Scan

While most patients will be following preps for a standard FDG PET Scan, please contact us at (954) 981-6668 to verify your scan type if you are unsure.

A PET scan is one of the most powerful and effective imaging procedures to revolutionize modern medicine. As advanced as PET technology has become, there are a few things you can do to help make sure you get the most out of your PET scan. Please take a moment to review the guidelines below for your scan, and as always, call us with any questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing you!

If you are diabetic or have any special needs, please contact our office for assistance.

PET Scan Prep Type Directory

FDG Prep (Includes Brain)
Axumin Prep – Commonly used for recurrent prostate cancer
NETSPOT Prep – Commonly used for neuroendocrine tumors
Cardiac Viability Prep
Cardiac Sarcoidosis Prep
In-Patient Prep

All South Preps PDF

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1. FDG Prep (Includes Brain)

It is very important that you have nothing at all by mouth (other than plain water with your medication) for at least 4 hours or more prior to your scan. If you do, this may interfere with the images, possibly delaying diagnosis or treatment, and your scan may need to be repeated at a later date. It’s ok if you accidentally don’t follow this rule, but only if you let us know. We can easily and quickly reschedule you if that happens. This will allow the best possible results for you.

In the 4 hours prior to your scan, you must have nothing by mouth which means no food, no coffee, no tea, no chocolate, no gum, no mints, no candy no cough drops, no Listerine strips.
Only plain water without flavoring is allowed. Anything else may make the scan not work as planned. If it’s not clear and it’s not water, don’t drink it!
Gatorade and juice is not considered water- even if the liquid is clear- only water
Please avoid strenuous physical exercise and caffeine for 4 hours prior to the scheduled appointment
Medications should be taken as directed but with plain water only
Are you a diabetic? Are you insulin dependent? We can send you some specific instructions based upon your condition.
Please bring all prior imaging studies with you, including previous PET, MRI and/or CT. Have you had a PET scan before? If so, at what facility? We can obtain your prior imaging so our radiologist can compare the exams. We will do everything we can, but if you can bring any discs or prior studies with you this would also be helpful.
If you have an insulin pump- please discontinue use 2 hours prior to appointment and call the office to inform them you are on a pump.
If you are on oxygen please ensure you have enough in the tank to last a minimum of 3 hours
If patient is wheelchair bound, please ensure someone arrives at the appointment with the patient to aid in transferring if needed.

2. Axumin Prep

The patient should avoid any significant exercise for at least 24 hours before the scan (minimize potential uptake of FACBC by muscles).
The patient should fast for at least 4 hours before the study with nothing by mouth except for small amounts of water to take medication. Infusions of parenteral alimentation (TPN) solutions should be discontinued for at least 4 hours before the study.

3. NETSPOT Prep

The patient should avoid any significant exercise for at least 24 hours before the scan.
The patient should fast for at least 4 hours before the study with nothing by mouth except for water to take medication- there is no limit to the amount of plain water you may drink.
Infusions of parenteral alimentation (TPN) solutions should be discontinued for at least 4 hours before the study.

4. Cardiac Viability Prep

The patient should have a high carbohydrate diet the night before, and fast for at least 6-12 hours prior to the examination time.
The patient should consume required prescription medication with water, and avoid caffeine, alcohol, drugs, or nicotine.
Please plan on being in the office for approximately 3 hours dependent on your glucose levels.

5. Cardiac Sarcoidosis Prep

Patient should have a high-fat, high protein, low-carbohydrate diet the day before (for 2 meals), and prolonged overnight fast for at least 12-18 hours prior to the examination time (this helps to reduce glucose uptake by normal myocardium).
Please plan on being in the office for approximately 3 hours

6. In-Patient Prep

Nurse from the hospital must accompany the patient for the duration of the appointment.
Glucose/Dextrose IV drip should be discontinued 4 hours prior to appointment, if possible. Patient may not receive glucose/dextrose in any form within 4 hours of appointment. Physician must order.
If Patient is on oxygen – ordering facility to provide a full tank – to be sent with patient.
Patient must be NPO 4 hours prior to the scan. – Physician must order.
Patient must not have caffeine intake 4 hours prior to the appointment time.
Patient must at least be able to be transferred to the scanner via wheelchair.

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Call us at (954) 981-6668 or fill in the appointment form.

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