PET/CT Scan Preparations

Instructions for Patients

• Do not eat or drink anything more than water for 4-6 hours before your exam because it could interfere with the results; don't even chew gum.
• If you are diabetic, let us know ahead of time so we can work with your physician to determine the safest possible way for you to prepare for your exam.
• If you take medications, drink only enough plain water to swallow them.
• If you've been advised not to take your medications on an empty stomach, eat nothing more than a few soda crackers within the 4-6 hours of your exam.
• In addition, please let us know if you might be pregnant or are currently breast-feeding.

The PET exam pinpoints metabolic activity in cells and the CT exam provides an anatomical reference. When these two scans are fused together, your physician can view metabolic changes in the proper anatomical context of your body.