Before your Appointment:

Prepare a list, which includes:

1. Names of medications you are currently taking
2. Brief medical history
3. Treatments you have had (Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Surgery)

• Do not eat for at least 8 hours prior: We recommend that you have nothing to eat for at least 8 hours prior to your test (except water and your usual medications). 
  
  
• Drink water: You are encouraged to drink 3-4 glasses of water prior to arriving at Stanford.
  
  
• Do not take your diabetic medication the morning of the test.  You may take all other medications as usual.
  
  
• Confirm your appointment 24 hours prior: You must be confirmed for your appointment 24 hours prior to the test.  If a Stanford Nuclear Medicine staff member does not call you prior to the test, please contact scheduling to confirm.  Because of the extremely high demand for a PET/CT scan, your slot may be given to another patient.

On the Day of your Appointment:

• You should plan to be at Stanford a total of 2-3 hours on exam day.

• Arrive at the registration desk located on the first level of the Blake Wilbur Clinic Building, 900 Blake Wilbur Drive (see map).

• Patient Registration will direct you to the PET/CT building, which is located  directly adjacent to the Blake Wilbur Clinic building.
  
  
• You will be greeted by the PET/CT staff and they will take a small blood sugar sample and place a small intravenous line (IV) for a simple injection of the radioactive tracer called FDG. Both the blood test and the injection are necessary components of this study.
  
  
• Following the injection, you will be asked to sit quietly for 45-60 minutes.
  
  
• You will then be imaged on the PET/CT scanner for approximately 30-40 minutes. 

During the Scan

You will be required to lie flat with your arms raised above your head.  If you think you will be unable to keep your arms above your head for approximately 35 minutes, please notify the technologist and they may accommodate you. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Are there any side effects?
  You will feel no side effects from the radioactive injection.
  
  
• What do I do after the test is finished?
  You may go home when the study is finished and resume your regular diet and medication.  You are encouraged to drink water to help clear the radioactivity from your body.
  
  
• How do I find out about my test results?
  Test results will be forwarded to your physician within 2 days.
  
  
• Are there any side effects?
  You will feel no side effects from the radioactive injection.
  
  
• What do I do after the test is finished?
  You may go home when the study is finished and resume your regular diet and medication.  You are encouraged to drink water to help clear the radioactivity from your body.
  
  
• How do I find out about my test results?
  Test results will be forwarded to your physician within 2 days.
  
  
• Can I have a PET/CT scan if I am allergic to contrast dyes?
  Yes
  
  
• Can I take my medication the morning of the test?
  Yes, unless it is for diabetes.  All diabetic medication should be brought with you to the scanner.  Please also bring your home glucometer.
  
  
• What are proteins?
  Meat, milk products, cheese, nuts etc.
  Atkin’s diet is an appropriate diet to have the day before a scan.
  
  
• What are carbohydrates?
  Bread, potatoes, pasta, beans, rice, sugar, sweets.
  
  
• Can I continue to have liquid protein tube feeds?
  Yes the day before, however, we would like them to be stopped at midnight.
  
  
• Can I exercise the day before?
  Only routine light exercise.
  
  
• Can I have sex the night before?
  Yes, as long as you would not classify it strenuous exercise.
  
  
• Can I drink alcohol the night before?
  It is best not to have alcohol.
  
  
• Can I have caffeine?
  It is best to only have water on the day of the test.
  
  How long is the test?
  2-3 hours.
  
  
• Why does it take so long?
  We must wait 60 minutes after the injection of the isotope before we can start the scan.  The scan itself only takes 40 minutes.
  
  
• Can I wear body jewelry?
  It would be best to come without any body jewelry.
  
  
• How is a PET/CT scan different from a CT scan?
  The PET let’s us look at glucose or sugar uptake by the cells of your body.  The CT scan lets us get a clear image of the organs and tissues.  Therefore, the PET scan defines sugar utilization of the tissues and a CT scan defines location and size, i.e. anatomy.