Personal Care and Attention
At each PET Imaging center patients are treated with individualized care
and attention throughout their visit.
Comfortable Surroundings
Your experience begins with a warm greeting when you enter the center. Shortly after your arrival, a technologist will meet with you to discuss your medical history, including any recent treatments or imaging you have undergone. The technologist will test your blood sugar after which a small amount of radioactive glucose will be injected into your bloodstream. There is no danger from this injection. Glucose (sugar) is a common substance every cell needs to function.
Calm and Peaceful
After the injection you will be escorted to your own individual room where you will spend the next 60 minutes or so relaxing with music, reading or watching television. This time is necessary to allow the glucose to circulate to all the cells in your body. The radioactive glucose will get trapped inside any cells, like cancer cells, that are metabolizing quickly. This will allow for better detection of areas of malignancy. Warm blankets are available to make you feel more comfortable during this circulation time.
Following the waiting process, you are personally escorted to the scan room and asked to lay on a flat bed until the scan is completed. PET/CT scans are simple, pain free and last for only about 20-45 minutes. The exact scan time will depend on your height and weight as well as the reason for the scan.
Once the scan is complete, you will be offered a snack and water to break your 4-6 hour fast.
Learning the Results
Highly trained radiologists interpret results of the scan and send a comprehensive report and images of your study to the physician who referred you. These specialists ensure that your physician has a thorough understanding of the results he or she needs to determine the critical next steps in your care.
