PET Scan Preparation
There are several types of PET Scans, and it is important that you follow the preparations your scan.
If you are unsure which exam your doctor has ordered, please call our scheduling department at: 310-423-8000 (option 1).
Cardiac PET Preparations
- Before, during and after your study
- If you are unsure if this is the correct preparation for your exam, please call our scheduling department at: 310-423-8000 (option 1).
- For Myocardial Viability PET (FDG) you will be called with instructions
Body and Brain PET/CT Preparations
- Exam time: approximately three to four hours
- FDG PET is used for tumor detection and to diagnose brain disorders or infections.
- FDG PET scans require careful preparation, so please follow instructions carefully.
Before Your Study
48 Hours Before Your Appointment
- Do not do any strenuous exercise or deep-tissue massage.
24 Hours Before Your Appointment
- Stay on a VERY LOW-carbohydrate, NO-sugar diet. Please see Low-Carbohydrate Diet Guidelines below.
- Do NOT use chewing gum or mints.
6 Hours Before Your Appointment
- Do NOT eat anything; drink only water.
- Drinking water is encouraged to ensure hydration for best test results.
- Continue to take medications as prescribed.
- If you are diabetic, ask your doctor about diet and medication, including withholding insulin for 4 hours prior to the exam (with the exception of an insulin pump, which is permitted). Carefully monitor and control your blood sugar for 48 hrs before the scan.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Guidelines
Foods Allowed
- All meats and poultry
- Hard cheeses
- Non-starchy vegetables, such as: broccoli, spinach, green beans.
- Nuts and unsweetened peanut butter
- Diet soda and zero-calorie drinks. (Be careful to avoid caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks. Decaffeinated drinks still contain small amounts of caffeine.)
- Tofu
- Eggs
- Oil, margarine, butter
Foods Not Allowed
- No cereals
- No pasta
- No dry beans
- No fruit and fruit juices
- No sugar, honey, desserts or candy
- No starchy vegetables, such as peas, corn, potatoes
- No alcohol
- No nutritional shakes or smoothies
- No breads
- No rice
- No gravies
- No jams and jellies
- No milk or yogurt (including nondairy milk)
- No coffee or tea (nothing with caffeine)
- Exam time: approximately three to four hours
- FDG PET is used for tumor detection and to diagnose brain disorders or infections.
- FDG PET scans require careful preparation, so please follow instructions carefully.
Before Your Study
48 Hours Before Your Appointment
- Do not do any strenuous exercise or deep-tissue massage.
24 Hours Before Your Appointment
- Stay on a VERY LOW-carbohydrate, NO-sugar diet. Please see Low-Carbohydrate Diet Guidelines below.
- Do NOT use chewing gum or mints.
- Do not eat or drink caffeine products (chocolate, soda, tea, coffee, or Exedrin®) for 24 hours before your exam. Note: Decaffeinated products contain caffeine.
6 Hours Before Your Appointment
- Do NOT eat anything; drink only water.
- Drinking water is encouraged to ensure hydration for best test results.
- Continue to take medications as prescribed.
- If you are diabetic, ask your doctor about diet and medication, including withholding insulin for 4 hours prior to the exam (with the exception of an insulin pump, which is permitted). Carefully monitor and control your blood sugar for 48 hrs before the scan.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Guidelines
Foods Allowed
- All meats and poultry
- Hard cheeses
- Non-starchy vegetables, such as: broccoli, spinach, green beans.
- Nuts and unsweetened peanut butter
- Diet soda and zero-calorie drinks. (Be careful to avoid caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks. Decaffeinated drinks still contain small amounts of caffeine.)
- Tofu
- Eggs
- Oil, margarine, butter
Foods Not Allowed
- No cereals
- No pasta
- No dry beans
- No fruit and fruit juices
- No sugar, honey, desserts or candy
- No starchy vegetables, such as peas, corn, potatoes
- No alcohol
- No nutritional shakes or smoothies
- No breads
- No rice
- No gravies
- No jams and jellies
- No milk or yogurt (including nondairy milk)
- No coffee or tea (nothing with caffeine)
- This exam takes about two to 2.5 hours. This is from when you arrive to the time you leave the imaging center.
- Consult with your physician about stopping any short-acting somatostatin medications for 48 hours before your exam.
- If you are receiving long-acting somatostatins (monthly injection), please schedule your exam to take place at least three weeks after receiving this medication and before your next injection.
- Do not stop any medication unless instructed to do so by your physician.
- Please do not eat anything for three hours prior to your exam.
- Please do not drink anything other than water for three hours prior to your exam.
- Try to wear clothing without metal items, such as zippers or clasps (even some sequins). If you are wearing metal, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown before your scan.
- There are no preparations you need to follow for this exam.
- Try to wear clothing without metal items, such as zippers or clasps (even some sequins). If you are wearing metal, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown before your scan.
The S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center provides a full range of advanced imaging, both radiology and cardiology, as well as interventional radiology and interventional tumor (oncology) treatments to the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Encino, Mid-Cities, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Studio City, Toluca Lake and West Hollywood.