Positron Emission Tomography, or PET, is a medical imaging technique that shows the functioning of your body’s organs and tissues by providing information about metabolic activity. PET scans can help to diagnose health conditions, plan cancer treatment and monitor the effectiveness of therapies.
During a PET scan, a small amount of a radioactive substance called a radiopharmaceutical is injected into your body. In many cases, this tracer is a form of glucose that emits a type of radioactivity known as positrons. As the tracer travels through your body, it accumulates in areas with high metabolic activity, such as sites of disease or pathology. The PET scanner detects the positrons and creates a detailed 3D image of the examined area.
Most PET scans require you to fast for 6 hours before your appointment, but you can continue drinking plain water only during fasting. If you are diabetic, pregnant or breastfeeding please contact us before your appointment. You will be provided with the required preparation for your scan when making your appointment.
For the PET scan, you will be injected with a radiopharmaceutical. Many PET scans then require that you rest quietly in our department for about an hour after the injection prior to the images being taken. Before the scan, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown and you will be required to remove any metal objects. Images are taken with you lying on the scanner bed, and most PET scans take 20 to 35 minutes to complete, depending on the type of scan being performed.
After the PET scan, you can resume normal activities. In many cases, drinking water is a good idea to help flush the radiopharmaceutical from your body.
You should allow between 2-3 hours for the entire PET scan appointment.
All results can be downloaded electronically by your Doctor.
We offer low out-of-pocket fees that are highly competitive.
For rebatable exams, we bulk bill all pension or health care card holders and full-time tertiary students.
For any billing queries, you can contact our administration team to discuss applicable fees.
