(1) Philips Gemini LXL 16 slice PET/CT scanner

Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes to your exam. Leave your watch, jewelry and other valuables at home. Plan to be at the testing center for 2 to 2 ½ hours. It is important to arrive on time. If you cannot arrive on time, please call 24 hours in advance to reschedule your test. You may continue to eat and drink normally prior to and after the scan. If you are on any medications, you may continue to take them. Drink plenty of fluids before and after the exam.

Please tell your doctor if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to an enhancing agent or iodine; special medicine may be prescribed for you to take before your exam. If you are anxious about the test, or have a fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), tell your physician before the day of your exam; your doctor can prescribe medicine to help you relax. Other nuclear medicine procedures should not be scheduled the same day as your PET/CT exam. For your safety, please notify our scheduling department and technologists:

• If you have asthma
• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding
• If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to an enhancing agent or iodine
• If you find it difficult or uncomfortable to lie flat on your back

You will change into a hospital gown or scrubs and remove all metal objects that could interfere with the scan. The technologist will test your blood sugar and then start an IV. You will then receive an injection of a small amount of radioactive glucose through the IV. The IV will be removed and you will be asked to relax quietly in a comfortable recliner while the glucose works its way through your body. During this time it is important to relax, even reading a book will alter where the glucose is utilized and could jeopardize the exam.

After the resting period you will be asked to empty your bladder and the technologist will escort you into the scanning room where you will lie down on the scanner table. It is important that you are comfortable and will need to lie as still as possible for 25-35 minutes as the table passes slowly through the scanner acquiring several sets of images. The procedure is painless and has no side effects. 

• Once the PET/CT scan is complete, you will be able to leave. Please ensure that you drink plenty of water or other fluids throughout the day. 
• A radiologist specially trained in interpreting PET/CT scans will read the study and provide the results to your referring physician. Your physician will contact you to discuss your PET/CT scan results. 

An NaF PET/CT Bone Scan is used to detect areas of bone abnormality due to fracture, tumors or other bone diseases. Most often, this exam is used for oncologic applications.

An image is taken of the entire skeletal system determining if cancer or other disease has spread to any bones in the body. This allows appropriate treatment to begin as soon as possible.