Positron-Emission Tomography (PET-scan)

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A PET SCAN?

You have to be in a fasting state 6 hours prior to the examination.  You may drink water, tea or coffee with no sugar and no milk and take your medications.

If you are diabetic, your diabetes must be balanced otherwise you will not be able to undergo the examination! All the information will be given to you when you make your appointment.

The contrast medium used for the PET scan does not cause any allergic reactions.  However, if you are allergic to iodinated contrast media (iodine for scanning), you must notify us.

HOW IS THE EXAMINATION CONDUCTED?

• You will be set up in a quiet room. 
• We will check your blood sugar by pricking your fingertip and we will insert an infusion device into your forearm to inject the tracer.
• After the injection, we will have to wait for 60 to 90 minutes so that the product spreads throughout your body, and that it settles, where applicable, in the diseased tissues. 
• Prior to the examination, you will have to empty your bladder and remove all metal objects (clothes with zippers, coins, chains, belts, etc.).
• You will be lying on your back on the examination table and it will glide in several stages through the camera.
• The examination lasts for 20 to 45 minutes depending on the indication.

AFTER THE EXAMINATION:

You will be able to eat, drink and resume your normal activities.
The small quantity of radioactive material is eliminated via the urine.  You are therefore exposed to very little radiation and there is no significant risk for your entourage. However, avoid close (< 1 m) and prolonged (> 30 mins) contact with people, especially with pregnant women and children < 10 years old for the rest of the day;

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

You must expect to spend at least 2 hours in our department.

Accompanying persons are not allowed access to the department's controlled area.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A PET SCAN?

You have to be in a fasting state 6 hours prior to the examination.  You may drink water, tea or coffee and take your medications.

The contrast medium used for the PET scan does not cause any allergic reactions.  However, if you are allergic to iodinated contrast media (iodine for scanning), you must notify us.

HOW IS THE EXAMINATION CONDUCTED?

• You will be set up in a quiet room. 
• We will insert an infusion device into your forearm.
• We will inject the tracer(¹⁸F-PSMA).
• After 15 minutes you will be injected with a diuretic (Lasix^R).
• After the injection, we will have to wait for 45 to 75 minutes so that the product spreads throughout your body, and that it settles, where applicable, in the diseased tissues. 
• Prior to the examination, you will have to empty your bladder and remove all metal objects (clothes with zippers, coins, chains, belts, etc.).
• You will be lying on your back on the examination table and it will glide in several stages through the camera.
• The examination lasts for 25 to 45 minutes depending on the indication.

AFTER THE EXAMINATION:

You will be able to eat, drink and resume your normal activities.
The small quantity of radioactive material is eliminated via the urine.  You are therefore exposed to very little radiation and there is no significant risk for your entourage. However, avoid close
(< 1 m) and prolonged (> 30 mins) contact with people, especially with pregnant women and children < 10 years old for the rest of the day;

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

You must expect to spend at least 2 hours in our department.

Accompanying persons are not allowed access to the department's controlled area.