Positron Emission Tomography Centre

Patients

Patients

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is now a widely accepted method for diagnosis of several types of cancer.

When used in this way, patients receive an injection containing a very short-lived radioactive form of glucose. The patient needs to rest, typically for an hour, while the glucose is allowed to metabolise in the body.

Patient care

Prior to your scan

Our staff will contact you prior to your appointment. We will confirm the details of the appointment as well as discussing the scan requirements.

On the day

Don't have anything to eat or drink for six hours before your appointment. This includes cough sweets and mints. You may sip water if you are thirsty.

Take any medication as normal, unless you are diabetic or on thyroid medication. If you are on this medication contact the us for advice.

Avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours prior to your test.

When you arrive

When you arrive we will ask you to fill in a patient questionnaire before taking you into the department. The procedure will be fully explained by one of our technologists who will also take a brief clinical history.

We will ask you to remove any metal objects and may ask you to change into a patient gown. 

Administration of the tracer

Once you are ready we will give you an injection of radioactive material into a vein in your arm. There are no side effects from the injection and it will not make you feel any different.

We will ask you to remain lying down for 60 minutes after your injection while it is absorbed into your body.

Scanning

Once the tracer has been absorbed into your body you are ready for your scan. In the scanning room you will be asked to lie down on your back on the scanning bed. The bed will move through the ring of the scanner and collect images for 30-60 minutes, depending on the type of scan you need.

After scanning

After this you are free to leave the department. We recommend that you avoid prolonged close contact with pregnant women or small children for at least eight hours after your scan.

We also encourage you to drink plenty of fluids for the rest of the day, as this will help to flush any unabsorbed tracer out of your body.