Also available in PDF file of PET FDG Scan

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a simple way to take pictures of your body’s cells. It allows a specially trained doctor
(a radiologist) to check for changes in your cells. To do the test, we will inject a radioactive tracer called 18 FDG. FDG stands for 2-Deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-Glucose. It is injected before the PET scan and allows us to see images of how your cells take up the tracer.

What are some common uses of the PET scan?

PET scans are used most often to detect cancer and to show whether  cancer treatments are working.
PET scans of the brain are used to evaluate patients who have memory loss, seizure problems, or brain tumors.

How do I prepare for a PET scan?

• Do not eat or drink anything except water for 12 hours before the scan. You may take your prescribed medicines (except cough syrup) on the day of your exam if they can be tolerated on an empty stomach. If you are told not to take your medicines, do not take them. Do not chew gum, eat candy, or take vitamins.
• Stay hydrated. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water the day before your exam and several on the day of your exam.
• Your last meal before you begin your fast should be a low-carbohydrate meal.
• Do not exercise for 24 hours before your exam.
• If possible, bring your most recent imaging films. These include PET, CT, or MRI scans. They may be on films or CD-ROM. Our doctors will compare them to your new PET scan.
• Make sure that your appointment time is convenient for you. The exact timing of this study is very important, so please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
• Wear comfortable clothing and dress warmly, since some scanner rooms may be cold. Do not wear jewelry or metal on your clothes on the day of your exam.
• For your comfort, you may bring a CD to listen to during the PET scan. We provide warm blankets.
• Do not bring children or pregnant women with you, due to the radioactive material that will be injected.
• If a mild muscle relaxant is planned for your exam, you must have someone come with you who will drive you home.
• If you have disease in your pelvis, a bladder catheter (a tube that drains urine from your bladder) may be placed before your PET scan.
• If you have diabetes, please call our staff as soon as possible at 206-598-4240 to discuss diet and medicine instructions.
• Please call our staff at 206-598-4240 if you are currently taking any granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) medicines (such as Neupogen or Neulasta) or any red-blood-cell-stimulating drugs (such as Epogen or Procrit).
• Your doctor may have requested a CT scan to be done on the PET camera after the PET scan. Please see the Computer Tomography (CT or CAT Scan) link for more information on this scan:  http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/PatientCare/MedicalSpecialties/ SpecialtyCare/UWMEDICALCENTER/Radiology/ computertomography.htm

What should I expect when I arrive?

A nuclear medicine technologist will help you to get ready for the scan. The technologist will start an intravenous (IV) line (a thin tube used to give you medicine and fluids) and check your blood sugar. The technologist will inject the FDG radioactive tracer, also called a radiotracer. The radiotracer will circulate for about 45 minutes, then you will be taken to the PET scan area. You will be asked to lie on your back on the scanner table. Most scans take about 1 hour.

What will I feel during the test?

You may feel some discomfort when the IV line is placed. During the PET scan you must relax and not move.
You will not feel anything from having the radiotracer in your body. The radioactivity is gone within a day. Stay away from children and pregnant women for 1 day after your scan.
After the scan, there are no special instructions except to drink plenty of fluids. This will help flush the remaining FDG out of your system.

Who reads the PET scan and how will I get the results?

PET scans are read by a radiologist or nuclear medicine doctor, who also reviews past scans you may have brought with you. Your own doctor will give you your PET scan results. Your doctor should receive the results from the radiologist or nuclear medicine doctor within 3 days.