Patient Prep - Oncology Imaging

Clothing

Dress in warm, comfortable clothing, as some scanner rooms may be cool. Avoid wearing jewelry and clothes with metal fasteners and zippers.

Food and Drink

Call the imaging facility for specific instructions. Generally, the day before your scan drink 6-8 glasses of water and limit the amount of sugar and caffeine you consume. On the day of the scan, do not eat or drink anything except plain water for four to six hours before your scan. Drink several glasses of water before your scan to ensure hydration.

Medications

Take your regularly scheduled medications with water prior to arriving for your scan, unless instructed otherwise.

Diabetic Patients

Inform the imaging facility ahead of time if you are diabetic to discuss specific instructions. You should test your blood sugar level before the scan; it should be approximately 100-200 mg/dL.

Preparation for your PET/CT imaging study is more critical

than for other commonly performed imaging studies

PET/CT Patient Guide