269 Portland Way South, Galion, Ohio 44833419-468-4841

www.avitahealth.org

PET/CT EXAMPositron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

Your PET/CT at GCHQuestions? 866-251-0710

Your PET/CT exam is scheduled for:

Date:________________________

Time:________________________

Scheduling 866-251-0810

Fax: 866-663-1083

www.vantagehealthcare.com• Pleasearrive15minutesbeforeyourscheduledappointmenttime.

• ParkintheEmergencyDepartmentparkinglot.

• EnterthehospitalthoughtheEmergencyDepartment.

• Pleaseremembertobringyourinsurancecardsandanyrequestedfilmsonscanday.

www.avitahealth.org

What is a PET/CT scan? What can you expect on scan day?AnotherqualityservicebroughttoyoubyGalionCommunityHospitalandVantage®MobileServices

A PET/CT scan is one of the newest, most advanced diagnostic imaging procedures used to identify cancer. It may also be used to detect certain diseases of the heart and brain such as Alzheimer’s and seizures.PET/CT technology combines the functional information of the body obtained through PET with the precise anatomical information

of the body obtained through CT in one scan. The scan can often detect disease before a physical change can be seen by CT or MRI.A PET/CT scan is safe and painless; utilizing a radioactive sugar substance (F-18 FDG), which has no known side effects. The radiation exposure level is safe. Although if you are pregnant or nursing, you should not have the scan unless the risks are discussed with your physician.The PET/CT scanner records the signals released by the radioactive sugar after it has attached to the targeted cells within your body. A computer then reassembles the signals into actual images - the first pictures ever to show both functional and anatomical disease processes in one scan.

Pre-test instructionsYou will be contacted one-to-two days prior to your procedure for further instruction. This test will take approximately two hours to complete.• Pleasedonoteatordrinkfourhoursbeforeyour

test. You are permitted to drink water.• Nostrenuousphysicalactivityfor24hourspriorto

the exam.• Pleasewearcomfortableclothing.Avoid

underwire bras, girdles, metal snaps or pins. Please leave valuables at home.

• Ifyouareadiabetic,youwillbegiveninstructionsrelated to your diabetic medications. These instructions will vary depending on the time your test is scheduled.

• Ifyoutakeanytypeofdiuretic,youwillbeinstructed not to take it until after the test is completed.

• Allothermedicationsshouldbetakenonyourusual schedule.

• Pleaseremembertobringwithyourinsurancecard, referral form, current list of medications, any requested x-rays or films, and the order for your test.

• Ifyoucannotkeepyourappointment,youmustgiveatleast24hoursnoticeofyourcancellation.This is very important because the radioactive glucose used for your test will be specially ordered and prepared the day before your procedure is scheduled.

• Aftertheprocedureiscomplete,youwillbeinstructed to drink lots of fluids, and to double flush the toilet until the next morning.

Scan day• ThePET/CTstaffwillgreetyouanddiscusswith

you the exam, your medical history and answer any questions you may have.

• Youwillhaveyourbloodsugarlevelcheckedbyasimple finger stick.

• AsmallIVcatheterwillbeplacedinyourarmorhand to allow for the injection of the radioisotope.

• F-18FDG(theradioactivematerial)willbeinjected.

• Youwillremainlyingdown,restingcomfortableand quietly while the radioactive material circulatesfor45minutes.

• Priortothestartofthescan,theIVwillberemoved and you will be taken to the restroom.

• Youwillbepositionedfortheexambylyingflaton the imaging table. The CT portion of the exam will occur first. The imaging table will move through the scanner taking all necessary images, this takes only about two minutes. Then the PET portion of the exam will begin. During the PET, the imaging table will slowly pass through the scanner. The pass will take approximately 25 minutes. You will be asked to stay very still.

• Thescannerwillpickupinformationfromthebody, which will be reassembled through a computer to create an image of your body.

• Afterthescaniscomplete,thePET/CTstaffbrieflyreviews the images before you are discharged.

Insurance coverage