How to prepare:
- You must be completely fasting for at least 6 hours prior to the scan. The evening before, have a light meal with no alcohol or sugar and limited carbohydrates (avoid bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, etc.).
- It is recommended to drink plenty of water on the day of the exam. Beverages such as milk, coffee, juices, or soft drinks are not allowed.
- If you are diabetic, please inform us when scheduling your appointment, so that you can receive specific instructions from our medical team. Your blood glucose level must be well controlled and below 150 mg/dl for the scan to proceed. If not properly prepared, the scan may have to be rescheduled.
- You may take your usual medication (with water) on the day of the exam, including painkillers.
- Do not chew gum and avoid strenuous physical activity on the day of the scan. Also, refrain from intense physical exertion for 24 hours prior to the exam (e.g., gym workouts).
- It is very important to dress warmly, especially in the winter. Let us know if you feel cold on the day of the scan, as this can affect image quality.
- Please bring any recent imaging exams (e.g., CT or MRI scans with their reports), and your histological diagnosis if available.
- You must be strictly punctual. The radioactive tracer used has a half-life of only 2 hours, so any delay may render the scan impossible and require rescheduling.
After the examination
You have received a radiopharmaceutical. While this is necessary for your PET/CT scan, it is important to follow radiation safety precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure to others after leaving the clinic.
For the 10 hours following the administration of the radiopharmaceutical, please carefully follow these instructions:
- Use private transportation when leaving the facility. Ideally, refrain from returning to work for the rest of the day.
- Drink plenty of fluids, use the toilet frequently, and urinate while seated (men included).
- If any urine drops fall on the toilet rim or floor, wipe them with absorbent paper and flush the toilet twice.
- If you are using a urine collection device, dispose of the contents into the toilet using disposable gloves (either by yourself or a caregiver), and take care to avoid contaminating surfaces. Place empty containers and all used materials in a plastic bag for proper disposal.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after every use of the toilet.
- Avoid contact with children and pregnant women for at least 10 hours after the scan. If complete avoidance is not possible, limit close and prolonged contact.
- Do not take long trips during this 10-hour period, especially those requiring someone to sit close to you for an extended time - this is especially important for young children and pregnant individuals.
These precautions should be followed for at least 10 hours following the administration of the radiopharmaceutical and are intended solely to protect those around you and the public from unnecessary radiation exposure.