A guide and some tips on what to do before going for a PET/CT service.

Positron emission tomography – computer tomography, also more commonly known as PET/CT is a system often used for medical diagnosis by capturing images of various areas of the body. The PET/CT is a combination of two devices – the and . The combined system takes images from both devices sequentially and then combines the images into a single superposed image. The results are images that contain both anatomic parts that can often be seen by x-rays and the spatial distribution of metabolic and biochemical activity that can often be seen by PET scanners. PET/CT services are used in , particularly in the field of oncology, radiation therapy, cancer staging, and surgical planning.

A person who needs to undergo a PET/CT service needs to prepare for it beforehand.  Below are some things that you will need to do and that will be asked of you before, during, and after going for a PET/CT service.

• Fasting. It is important for you to fast for at least four hours before going for a PET/CT scan. Make sure that you have not taken any solids in the last four hours before your scan. You may drink very little amount of water if there is any medication you are scheduled to take. The fasting is required to reduce your body’s glucose level and to lower circulating insulin levels, allowing for better target-to-background ratio.
• Arrive early. Make sure that you get to the medical facility for your PET/CT scan way ahead of schedule. Try to arrive 30 minutes before the scan to allow your body to rest completely for at least 15 minutes so that your muscular activity will go down as well.
• Injection. Before undergoing a PET/CT scan, you will need to be injected with a contrast to enhance the captured images of your body. The substance that will be injected to your body contains radioactive isotope that will be easy to trace inside your body by the scanner. The contrast injected to your body will be excreted through your kidneys so if you have any medical condition involving your kidneys, make sure your doctor performs a blood test to ensure that the contrast is safe for you.
• Allot two hours. Although the actual scan will only take around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the areas being captured, it is best to set aside at least two hours for the whole PET/CT exam to include preparation time.
• Relax. A PET/CT scan involves lying down on an automatic bed which moves into the CT gantry and the PET gantry for the scan. Although a lot of claustrophobic people can easily handle a PET/CT scan, it is important to remember to relax to prevent any anxiety you might experience.