PET/CT
PET/CT is unique because it provides doctors with information about both structure and function. Nuclear medicine specialists use safe, painless, and cost-effective techniques to image the body and treat various diseases. It is a way to gather medical information that would otherwise be unavailable, require surgery, or necessitate more expensive diagnostic tests.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Scheduling
To schedule a patient appointment, call 847-723-6080 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 5:00p.m. on Saturday.
How do I prepare?
Wear comfortable clothing with no metal. Bring your physician’s orders, insurance card and picture I.D. with you. For your convenience parking is available in the garage connected directly to our Center for Advanced Care across the street from the main hospital. Upon entering the Center, report to the Registration area located on the first floor.
Family members are invited to stay in our waiting area for the duration of your procedure.
Can I schedule my PET scan with a CT scan?
Yes, a PET scan and a CT scan can be done in the same appointment. Your physician will determine if a CT scan is to be combined with a PET scan. A CT can be done as a separate study in the Radiology department, but if there is more information required and a PET study is the preferred approach, then a combined procedure will be ordered. A combined study will take approximately 2 hours.
Inquiries
For more information about PET/CT, please call (847) 723-6080.
What is PET?
Positron Emission Tomography, also called PET imaging or a PET scan, is a diagnostic examination that involves the acquiring of images based on the detection of radiation emitted from a radioactive substance administered to the patient. The images of the human body acquired with this technique are used to evaluate a variety of diseases.
What are some of the common uses of PET?
PET scans are used most often to detect cancer and to examine the effects of cancer therapy. These scans can be performed on the whole body. PET scans of the brain are used to evaluate patients who have memory disorders of an undetermined cause, suspected or proven brain tumors or seizure disorders that are not responsive to medical therapy and maybe candidates for surgery.
How should I prepare for the procedure?
PET is usually done on an outpatient basis. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your examination. You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. You should not eat for four hours before the scan. You will be encouraged to drink water. Your doctor will instruct you regarding the use of medications before the test.
Note: Diabetic patients should ask for any specific diet guidelines to control glucose levels during the day of the test from the department. Do not take your diabetic medication before the procedure.
How does the procedure work?
A radioactive substance is attached, or tagged, to a natural body compound, most commonly glucose. Once this substance is administered to the patient, the radioactivity localizes in the appropriate areas of the body and is detected by the PET scanner.
Different colors or degrees of brightness on a PET image represent different levels of tissue or organ function.
How is the procedure performed?
A technologist will take you into a special injection room. In this room a blood glucose will be drawn and a radioactive substance will administered through the vein. The wait time pre-scan is approximately 30 to 90 minutes. During this time, you will be asked to rest quietly and avoid significant movement or talking. After that time scanning will begin. This may take 30 to 45 minutes.
Usually, there are no restrictions after the test, although you should drink plenty of fluids to flush the radioactive substance from your body.
What will I experience during the procedure?
The administration of the radioactive substance will feel like a slight pinprick when given by intravenous injection; you will not feel anything related to the radioactivity of the substance in your body. You will then be made as comfortable as possible before you are positioned in the PET scanner for the test. You will be asked to remain still for the duration of the examination. Patients who are claustrophobic may feel some anxiety while positioned in the scanner, while you will be alone in the exam room the technologist will be able to see you and communicate with you throughout the exam. Some patients find it uncomfortable to hold one position for more than a few minutes. If you have difficulty lying down or remaining still because of pain, you may wish to speak to your physician before the CT scan about the possible benefits of pain medication for the exam. It is important to remain as still as possible during the PET exam, as any movement will affect the quality of the image produced.
How soon will my doctor get the results?
After the procedure is complete, a nuclear medicine physician will study the pictures along with your medical history to make an assessment of what the photos show. He will then dictate a report that will be forwarded to your physician within three business days. If your doctor needs the results sooner, he/she may contact the nuclear medicine physician on the day of the exam.
If I still have questions, who should I call?
For more information about the procedure, please call the Nuclear Medicine Department at 847-723-6080.
Can I schedule my PET scan with a CT scan?
Yes a PET scan and a CT scan can be done in the same appointment. Your Physician will determine if a CT scan is to be combined with a PET scan. A CT can be done as a separate study in the Radiology department, but if there is more information required and a PET study is the preferred approach, then a combined procedure will be ordered. A combined study will take approximately 2 hours.
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