PET-CT Scan Preparations

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Clinical Applications of PET-CT Scan

• Detection of primary cancers.

• Differentiation of benign and malignant tumours.

• Detection of cancer metastases.

• Evaluation of treatment response and progress.

• PSMA prostate scan for detection of intraprostatic cancer and possible extra-prostatic nodal and visceral metastases.

• Brain scan for diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Pre-Scan General Preparation

• By appointment only.

• Please notify our staff if the patient is pregnant or pregnancy is suspected.

• Please avoid any Barium exams 10 days prior to the examination.

• Fasting for at least 6 hours before the examination, except water.

• One day before examination, please eat bland and easily digestible food.

• One day before examination, drink 6-8 glasses of water to ensure enough hydration of the body.

• It is recommended that the blood glucose reading is at 10mmol/L or below to perform PET-CT.

• For diabetic patients, do not take diabetes drugs or insulin injections during fasting. Please bring along the drugs to the centre.

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Pre-Scan Contrast Study Preparation

• A normal renal function is required.

• Withhold Metformin (e.g. Glucophage) 24 hours before and 48 hours after the examination.

• Please inform our Centre at least 2 days before the examination, if the patient has any allergy to previous contrast administration. Oral Steroid (Prednisolone 40mg to be taken 12 hours and 2 hours before examination) should be prescribed by the referral doctor or our Centre. In special occasions, intravenous Hydrocortisone will be administered at the time of the examination at an additional cost.

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Examination Procedures

• The whole examination lasts 2 – 2.5 hours.

• It starts with a simple interview by our clinic staff,

• followed by a blood glucose level test,

• then injection of radioactive isotope.

• After injection, you will be required to rest alone quietly for about one hour to facilitate drug metabolism and absorption.

• The scan will then undergo for about 10-15 minutes.

• When the scan is over, rest for another 1-1.5 hours to allow the decay and further metabolism of the drug. Delayed scan may be performed if necessary.