Patient Preparation

No food for 6 hours prior to study. Prior to the 6 hours, you may eat eggs, cheese and chicken only. YOU MAY DRINK WATER, but no other type of liquid is allowed. Please DO NOT chew gum, breath mints, etc.

Diabetic patients may have a light breakfast which may ONLY consist of one egg or egg beaters, cheese, chicken (no toast, no sweets, sugars or caffeine) 4 hours prior to their scheduled arrival time, along with their regular doses of diabetic drugs (insulin, glucophage, etc.). It is also recommended that you bring insulin with you in the event that you need it. If you have an insulin pump please turn it off 4 hours prior.

No food for 6 hours prior to study for patients with feeding tube.

You may take prescribed medications with water. If any of your medications must be taken with food, ask your doctor whether you should skip your morning dose, take it later in the day, or take it without food on the day of your scan. Please bring a list of your current medications with you to your appointment along with your insurance cards.

Unless you are on fluid restriction for other reasons, drink at least two 8-ounce
glasses of water the night before your scan to prevent dehydration.

Drink two 8-ounce glasses of water the morning of your scan. If your scan is
scheduled for the afternoon, drink several additional glasses of water during the
morning.

Do not perform any vigorous physical activity for at least 24 hours prior to scan.

Patients should wear warm, loose-fitting clothing, such as sweats or flannel shirt.
It will not be necessary to remove any clothing for the PET scan. Do not wear any heavy metal objects or jewelry. Patients must remove any body piercing that has been performed within 4 weeks prior to your scan.

Most PET scans require about an hour of preparation time and about 30 minutes of imaging time on the scanner. You will be at the PET center for about 90 minutes. The PET scanner machine is similar in shape and size to a CT scanner. Sedation is almost never needed, however, if you are extremely claustrophobic or tend to be extremely nervous and fidgety, consult your doctor about the advisability of taking a tranquilizer before coming to the PET center. If you do require sedation, please arrange to have someone drive you to and from the PET center. Lastly, if you are on oxygen, you will need to bring a 2 hour supply of oxygen with you to your exam.

If you have questions regarding your exam, please call us at 978-573-3169.
If for any reason you are unable to attend your scheduled PET scan, please call 24 hours in advance at 978-573-3169.