What is the PET scan procedure like?
In most cases, a PET scan will begin with an injection of the radioactive tracer into a vein in the patient’s arm. The patient will be asked to rest quietly for a period of time (usually about 20 to 40 minutes) as the tracer circulates throughout the patient’s body. After this time, the part of the body being imaged will be positioned within a large ring (similar to a big donut hole) on a scanning bed after which, once positioned properly, the bed will begin to move the patient into the scanner. As pictures are being taken, the patient will be asked to remain very still so the clearest of all possible images can be obtained. The imaging time varies with the procedure but, is generally about one hour.
In most cases, a PET scan will begin with an injection of the radioisotope agent into the patient’s arm. The patient will be asked to rest quietly for a short period of time as the tracer circulates throughout the body. Then the patient will be positioned on a scanning bed and scanned. As the images of the body are obtained, the patient will be asked to remain very still. The imaging time varies with the procedure, but generally takes about one hour.
