Nuclear Medicine Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Procedures

PET Oncology (back to list)

Clinical Indications Staging and restaging for the following cancers: brain, breast, colorectal, esophageal, head and neck, lung, lymphoma, melanoma, musculoskeletal, ovarian, pancreatic, and thyroid; Cancers currently reimbursable by Medicare: breast, lung, solitary pulmonary nodule, colorectal, melanoma, lymphoma, head and neck, esophageal, thyroid and cervical; Cancers not currently reimbursable by Medicare: musculoskeletal, ovarian, pancreatic, scrotal and testicular.
Patient Preparation •No exercise 24 hours prior to exam. 
• Eat a high protein diet for 24 hours prior to appointment.
• Do not eat or drink anything except water for 4 hours prior to scheduled time.
• Diabetic patients need to stay on their regular regimen
Time Frame 2 to 3 hours
Conflicting Examination or Medications None
Special Notes • Prior authorization needed with insurance company.
• Blood glucose level must be below 200.
• Please prescribe Valium or similar medication for claustrophobic patients.

Pet Brain (back to list)

Clinical Indications Localize seizure focus (pre-surgerical for refractory seizures) and Alzheimer’s (dementia evaluation). 
Patient Preparation • No exercise 24 hours prior to exam. 
• Eat a high protein diet for 24 hours prior to appointment.
• Do not eat or drink anything except water for 4 hours prior to scheduled time.
• Diabetic patients need to stay on their regular regimen.
Time Frame 2 to 3 hours
Conflicting Examination or Medications None
Special Notes • Prior authorization needed with insurance company.
• Blood glucose level must be below 200.
• Please prescribe Valium or similar medication for claustrophobic patients.

PET Cardiac (back to list)

Clinical Indications Viability study following inconclusive SPECT study or prior to revascularization.  
Patient Preparation • Eat and drink as normal prior to appointment
• A high carbohydrate and sugar filled diet is ideal for non-diabetic patients.
• Diabetic patients need to stay on their regular regimen 
Time Frame 2 to 3 hours  
Conflicting Examination or Medications None
Special Notes • Prior authorization needed with insurance company.
• Diabetic patients need to remain on their regular regimen.
• Please prescribe Valium or similar medication for claustrophobic patients.