You may eat a variety of meals, some of which are high in protein. A diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates guarantees that your blood sugar levels stay stable. So you can have turkey, duck, cheese, steak, chicken, fish, eggs, asparagus, mushrooms, and broccoli.
Drinking plenty of fluid after the scan can help flush it from your body. As a precaution, you may be advised to avoid prolonged close contact with pregnant women, babies or young children for a few hours after a PET scan, as you will be slightly radioactive during this time.
After your PET scan, a very small amount of radioactive sugar will remain in your body. So, be sure to drink plenty of water to help flush it out your system. You don't need to follow any special dietary restrictions or guidelines after your PET scan.
In most cases, you will need to rest before and after the injection of the radioactive material. For example, if you are having a brain PET scan, you will lie quietly in a darkened room before and after the injection to make sure your brain remains relaxed and is not stimulated by light, noise or reading.
After a PET-CT scan
Drink lots of water. It helps wash any leftover radioactive substance and dye out of your body. The scan results will be interpreted by the nuclear medicine physician and/or a radiologist, and that report will be sent to your doctor.
We prefer that you avoid anything with caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, or soda) within 24 hours of the test. Caffeine alters the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical throughout your body, specifically to your heart.
After your PET-CT scan
Your radiographer removes the cannula from your arm before you go home. You can then eat and drink normally. Drinking plenty of fluids after your scan helps to flush the radioactive tracer out of your system. Someone will need to take you home if you've had medicine to help you relax.
With a PET or a PET/CT scan, you will give off very low levels of radiation for around 6 hours afterwards. As a precaution, you should avoid being close to women who are pregnant during this time. It should also be safe to be around adult pets, as long as they are not pregnant.
It's important that you limit close contact with babies or pregnant people as much as possible for 12 hours after your scan. Otherwise, you can go about your day as usual, including having visits with your healthcare providers. If you're breastfeeding, stop for 12 hours after your scan.
You will feel no side effects from the radioactive injection. What do I do after the test is finished? You may go home when the study is finished and resume your regular diet and medication. You are encouraged to drink water to help clear the radioactivity from your body.
18F-Fluorodeoxy glucose positron emission tomography‒computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET) can detect malignant lymph nodes of even normal size, thus overcoming one of the major limitations of CT.
PET-CT Precautions
If undergoing a combination PET-CT scan, the iodine-based contrast dye used for the CT component can cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headache, itching, flushing, and mild rash. In rare cases, a serious, all-body allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis may occur.
PET scanning can give false results if chemical balances within the body are not normal. Specifically, test results of diabetic patients or patients who have eaten within a few hours prior to the examination can be adversely affected because of altered blood sugar or blood insulin levels.
After your PET scan
Your radiographer removes the cannula from your arm before you go home. You can then eat and drink normally. The radiation in the radioactive tracer is very small. Drinking plenty of fluids after your scan helps to flush the radiotracer out of your system.
After the Procedure
You should drink about 5 glasses of water. Nursing mothers should wait for 24 hours before resuming breast-feeding.
PET scans are very sensitive, and increased physical activity can create problems in differentiating between normal and pathologic uptake, explained Osman.
No, a PET scan cannot provide a conclusive diagnosis regarding whether a tumour is benign or malignant.
If you're pregnant, don't cuddle with your child for at least 24 hours after the scan. Also, your child should avoid direct contact with infants and toddlers until the next day.
Do I have to pay for a PET scan? There is no cost for most PET scans if you are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia and covered by Medicare. For a limited number of indications that are not approved by Medicare, there can be a charge to the patient.
PET scans can help diagnose new or recurrent cancer. Cell growth can be detected with a PET scan, but not all cancer types can be seen. Further tests typically need to be performed to complete the diagnosis.
Please avoid all forms of strenuous exercise and/or physical activity for 24 hours prior to your appointment. Avoid all caffeine and de-caffeinated beverages for 24 hours prior to exam. It is important that you stay well hydrated.
Temporary side effects – The iodine-based contrast dye used in a PET CT scan can cause temporary side effects. Some PET scan side effects are diarrhea, nausea, etc., which eventually fade within a day.
PET scans are very safe. There are no side effects associated with the radioactive tracers, which only remain in your body for a short time. In addition, the dose of radiation is very small — similar to several years' worth of natural radiation from the environment. Allergic reactions are very rare and usually minor.
In general, PET scans may be used to evaluate organs and/or tissues for the presence of disease or other conditions. PET may also be used to evaluate the function of organs, such as the heart or brain. The most common use of PET is in the detection of cancer and the evaluation of cancer treatment.