FAQ

It is very difficult to predict the exact time you will spend with us. Many factors need to be considered when calculating how long it takes, these include:

• External factors: Amount of traffic during delivery of the radiopharmaceutical as fresh doses are manufactured elsewhere and delivered daily, technical or hardware difficulties that are beyond our control - we do have an excellent team on standby for assistance should this happen.
• Patient factors: If we struggle to find a suitable vein for injection, a very sick patient, if a patient suffers from claustrophobia or anxiety.

It is advisable that you do not make any other appointments on the same day as the PET/CT scan.

Although we give you a time for arrival this is just an estimate, we do try to stick to this, but please be patient if we are unable to do so. It would be best if you are not in a hurry and bring along some entertainment.

We aim to take about 2 – 2.5 hours from time of injection until you are dressed and ready to go home.

No, the injections that we give do not have any physical effects such as giving you a headache or making you drowsy, nor does it have side effects other than some radiation exposure. You will be able to continue with your normal daily activities after the investigation (e.g. driving).

The only thing you will feel is the small prick when we place the IV-line required to administer the radioactivity.

It is VERY important that you DO NOT eat or consume any calories for ideally 6 hours before the examination, this includes sugar free bars/drinks/ chewing gum etc. This is because we use a radioactive glucose (sugar) to do the investigation. If you eat before the study, then the radioactive glucose will be taken up by all your muscles and we will not be able to interpret the study adequately.

This is why it is of utmost importance to follow these instructions. PLEASE inform us BEFORE we give you the injection if you ate or drank something accidentally less than 4 hours before your study. We will then have to rebook the study. If you do not tell us, we will be able to see this when looking at your scan and will still need to rebook the study.

No, this injection is completely safe, even if you are a diabetic. It will NOT influence/change your blood sugar level. Please refer to the Patient Corner “What if I am Diabetic? ” or contact the PET/CT centre BEFORE coming for the investigation for specific preparation for diabetic patients.

Absolutely, we do not use iodinated contrast agents. The injection we give is completely safe in patients with an allergy to iodine.

No, we will not continue with the study if you are pregnant. Although the radiation dose used is relatively low, unnecessary radiation exposure to the fetus is not advisable. We would defer the study until after you have given birth.

PLEASE inform the staff if you are, or think you may be pregnant.

Yes, you can. The radioactivity is not excreted in breastmilk. Radiation exposure to your baby is from close contact with you while you are breastfeeding. We advise you to express your breastmilk and have someone else give the milk to the baby for at least 8 hours after the examination. For this reason, it is also advisable to restrict any close contact with your baby (or small children) for this time period after the examination.

Please contact the PET/CT BEFORE your examination for instructions on breastfeeding before and after the investigation.

Studies have shown that 2 hours after injection of the radioactive tracer, the radioactivity has worn off to such an extent that good quality imaging is almost not possible. In order to be super cautious, we recommended a safe time span of 4 hours post injection prior to close mingling with family and children without any concern. We do however advise to restrict close contact for prolonged periods with small children/babies (e.g. carrying around a small baby/breastfeeding) until about 8 hours after the investigation.

The more fluids you drink the faster the excess radioactivity will be flushed from your system.

The radiation dose that we use is fairly small. We strictly adhere to the ALARA principal, which stands for “As low as reasonably achievable”. We try to obtain an image that is of sufficient quality for interpretation at lowest possible radiation dose to the patient.

All doses are carefully calculated according to the patient’s weight.

The doses that we use in our examination are very low and in unlikely to cancer later in your life. This has been extensively researched.

Results will not be discussed with you after the scan, please do not put pressure on the staff at the PET/CT centre to discuss these findings. A PET/CT study is a complicated and intricate imaging modality that requires two imaging specialists to evaluate the scan – Nuclear Physician and Radiologist. The role of the radiographer is only to check the image quality and whether there has been any movement by the patient which may influence our interpretation. Radiographers cannot give you any indication of what the scan results may be.

Reporting will be completed by the next working day at ± 12h00 midday and the report will be sent directly to your referring doctor. Your referring doctor will discuss the results with you on follow-up appointment.