PET-CT Scan
- It is Positron emission tomography which is an examination performed on the entire body using a radioactive substance with a CT scan in order to show a three-dimensional image of the active areas of the body.
- The examination takes approximately 45 minutes.
Preparations necessary for the examination
- Perform a kidney function test (creatinine) a maximum of one week before the examination.
- Do a fasting blood glucose test no more than a week before the examination, and its level should not exceed 200 mg/dL.
- The patient’s weight does not exceed 200 kg.
- Complete fasting must be done for 6 hours before the examination, while only drinking water is allowed. If the patient’s condition requires anesthesia, it is prohibited to drink water.
- The patient must bring all previous radiological scan copies, including any previous PET-CT scan.
- The patient must bring the results of pathology tests.
- Metal objects and gold jewelry should not be worn.
It is preferable to adhere to the following instructions, unless requested by the treating physician:
- Two or more weeks have passed since the last chemotherapy session.
- Four or more weeks have passed since the last radiotherapy session.
- It must have been a week or more since the last needle sample.
- Four or more weeks have passed since the last surgery.
- It is necessary to ensure that there is no pregnancy before performing the examination.
Procedures to be done before undergoing the PET-CT scan:
- The patient enters the examination room for 30 minutes to be injected with dye intravenously.
- The patient waits in a designated room for a maximum of 90 minutes until the body absorbs the substance. This substance has no side effects and does not cause any pain.
Procedures to be done after undergoing the PET-CT scan:
- Please leave the center immediately after completing the examination.
- The patient is advised to drink a large amount of water and other fluids and is allowed to eat after the examination.
- Children under 6 years old should be kept away from the patient who had the PET-CT scan.
- Pregnant women must be kept away from the patient who had the PET-CT scan for a period of not less than 24 hours.
