Hackensack Radiology Group

How PET Works

Cancer cells require a great deal of sugar, or glucose, to have enough energy to grow. PET scanning utilizes a radioactive molecule that is similar to glucose, called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). FDG accumulates within malignant cells because of their high rate of glucose metabolism. Once injected with this agent, the patient is imaged on the whole body PET scanner to reveal cancer growths which may have been overlooked or difficult to characterize by conventional CT, X-Ray, or MRI.

Combined PET/CT Imaging : The Added Advantage

The PET/CT scanner at New Century Imaging combines two state of the art imaging modalities. By monitoring glucose metabolism, PET provides very sensitive information regardless of whether a growth within the body is cancerous or not. CT meanwhile provides detailed information about the location, size, and shape of various lesions but cannot differentiate cancerous lesions from normal structures with the same accuracy as PET. The combined PET/CT scanner merges PET and CT images together. Every PET/CT scan is reviewed and correlated by a board certified Radiologist.

Procedure

Patients referred for PET/CT scanning will be required to spend approximately two hours at New Century Imaging. Patients are first injected with a very small amount of the FDG radiotracer. The patient then waits approximately 45-60 minutes prior to scanning to allow for the FDG to adequately target and bind to possible cancer cells within the body. The actual scan takes approximately 35-45 minutes with the patient lying flat within the scanner.

Schedule

To schedule your PET/CT scan, please call 201-488-2660 ext. 103. Please make arrangements to obtain and bring your prior scans to New Century Imaging if done at another facility. This will ensure a comprehensive report in 24-48 hours.

Location :

New Century Imaging - Oradell

Prep Instructions :

Fasting:

No food for four (4) hours prior to your appointment until after the PET/CT.
Water is permissible.

Medications:

You may take any medications that you need to take with water.
If you are taking diabetic medication, see comments below in Diabetic Patients.

Last meal prior to scan:

We encourage a high protein, low carbohydrate meal for the last meal prior to your scan, as this will provide a better quality scan.
If your last meal prior to your scan is breakfast, possible choices include: cottage cheese, eggs (or egg whites), ham, bacon, or sausage.
No juice or sweeteners
If your last meal prior to your scan is dinner, possible choices include: steak, chicken or fish.
Foods to avoid are pasta, bread and rice.
Avoid anything containing sugar, including beverages, cough drops, etc.

Drinking extra water:

Drink at least 3 large glasses of water the night before the exam.
Drink an additional 3 large glasses of water the day of your exam.

Exercise:

Do not do any heavy exercise for 48 hours prior to your scan, in order to decrease muscle activity on the scan.

Prior CT or PET scans:

If you have a prior CT or PET scan which was not performed at New Century Imaging, The Imaging Center at Newman or Hackensack University Medical Center, please bring the CT or PET scan (or copies) with you the day of your PET/CT scan.

Diabetic Patients:

If you are a diabetic, please let our office know at the time of scheduling, so we can coordinate with your doctor and any medication orders on the day of your scan.