Education


Please bring previous reports and CDs with images to your scheduled exam(s). If you have any questions regarding your scheduled exam(s), please feel free to call and speak with our Imaging staff.

CT Scan:

If you are scheduled to have a CT scan with I.V contrast, do not eat anything 6 hours prior to your exam. Do drink plenty of water the day before and the day of your exam. Please notify us if you are diabetic or allergic to contrast/iodine.

PET/CT Scan:

Before The Exam: Nothing by mouth 6 hours prior to exam. You may take oral tablets 6 hours prior to exam with water. Avoid caffeine, sugar, and tobacco on the day of the exam. Avoid heavy exercise 24 hours prior to exam.

The Exam: Before the exam, you will have a glucose test performed and be injected with a radioactive trader (FDG). Following the injection, you will be asked to rest comfortably in a darkened room for approximately 45 to 60 minutes while the radioactive tracers travel throughout your body. Your scan will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes. There are two parts of the exam: the CT scan and the PET scan. Images from both scans will be "fused" so that we may obtain both anatomical and physiological information from one exam. Most patients can expect to be at the imaging center for at least 2 hours.

After The Exam: You may leave immediately following the scan as there are no known side effects resulting from the injection tracer. You may resume your normal activity and diet. The PET/CT scan will be reviewed by a physician who will send a report to your referring physician.

Amyvid: No prep is needed.

Bone Scan: No prep is needed.

Axumin:

  • 4 hours NPO (No food and no liquids)
  • Minimal water only to take medications
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 1 day prior to scan
  • Empty bladder immediately upon checking in at front desk

FDG: Non diabetic patients:

  • Plain water only prior to scan is allowed
  • No food, including gum and mints 6 hours prior
  • All patients should have a low carb and high protein dinner the night before a scan. Patient must have blood sugar level below 150 mg/dL for the day of appointment or may be rescheduled
  • No caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol for at least 12 hours prior to scan
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 1 day prior to scan
  • Patients are to avoid cold exposure for 2 days prior to scan. No air conditioning and windows and rolled up on route to scan and wear warm clothing such as long pants, long sleeves even in the summer. Try to avoid wearing jewelry, metal wire bras, zippers and buttons
  • Patient may take anti-anxiety medication 1 hour prior to scan, as needed and cannot be supplied at our facility. Patient must arrange for another driver to drive patient home if taking anti-anxiety medication

FDG: Diabetic patients

  • Plain water only prior to scan is allowed
  • No food, including gum and mints 6 hours prior
  • Should have a low carb and high protein dinner the night before a scan
  • Insulin dependent patients may have a light low carb and high protein breakfast by 9am for a 12 noon or later scheduled scan. Diabetic patient must have blood sugar levels below 200 mg/dL for the day of appointment or scan may be rescheduled
  • No insulin 6 hours prior to scan. No metformin 48 hours prior to scan
  • Metformin needs to be avoided 48 hours after the scan IF you receive iodine contrast during the scan
  • No caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol for at least 12 hours prior to scan
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 1 day prior to scan
  • Patients are to avoid cold exposure for 2 days prior to scan. No air conditioning and windows and rolled up on route to scan and wear warm clothing such as long pants, long sleeves even in the summer. Try to avoid wearing jewelry, metal wire bras, zippers and buttons
  • Patient may take anti-anxiety medication 1 hour prior to scan, as needed and cannot be supplied at our facility. Patient must arrange for another driver to drive patient home if taking anti-anxiety medication

MRI Scan:

Before your appointment, please inform us if you have a pacemaker, aneurysm clips, implanted devices, neurostimulators, infusion devices, hearing implants, or any other metal in your body (particular eyes).

FDG: 24 Hours prior to exam: No carb. No sugar. High protein diet.

Foods to AVOID: All food containing sugar and most processed foods. Even "low carb" versions of the items listed below.

Potatoes, tomatoes, bread-all types of grains, "veggie" burger, corn, peas, breaded foods, soybeans (edamame, carrots, fruit, rice, syrups and jams, legumes, juices, pastas/noodles, crackers, squash, milk, sauces & gravies, breath mints, ketchup, chips/pretzels, ice cream, candy/gum, and rice cakes.

Foods you CAN EAT:

  • Protein: Non breaded beef, chicken, turkey, fish, pork, lamb, hot dogs, lunch meats, fish, shellfish, crab, peanut butter(1-2 servings total), most nuts or sunflower seeds, eggs
  • Dairy: Low-fat cottage cheese, light yogurt, sour cream or butter
  • Vegetables: Green beans, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, mushrooms, radishes, spinach, zucchini
  • Condiments: Mayonnaise, salad dressing & barbeque sauce(those with 3g or less per serving of carbohydrates), oil, vinegar, mustard, hot sauce, tartar sauce, olives, dill pickles

Diabetic patients on insulin: Insulin injection at the last meal. Follow high protein diet for two days prior to exam. Appointment should be in the morning.

Diabetic patients on medication: Take your meds at your last meal. Follow high protein diet.