Radiotracer Types and Preparation

At 210 PET Imaging, we offer the following different types of PET/CT radiotracer scans and patient preparation information.

Preparing for a PET/CT Scan (with FDG)

• For 24 hours prior to your procedure
• Refrain from any strenuous activities, such as yard work, manual labor, or exercise to include cardiovascular or strength exercise.
• Switch to a low carbohydrate/no sugar diet (avoid starches, pastas, breads, rice, beans, fruits, candy, mints, gum and caffeine).
• Need to Cancel or Reschedule? Please call us at 919-350-4210 by 2 pm the day before your procedure.
• On the day of your scan
• Do not eat or drink anything (other than water) for 4-6 hours before your test. This includes coffee/tea, soda, food, gum or mints.
• Drink water beforehand to ensure you are well-hydrated for the test.
• Take any of your regular medications as prescribed.
• Wear warm, comfortable clothing – ideally without metal (zippers, snaps, etc.) If you forget, we will happily offer a gown or scrubs to wear during your test. Avoid wearing jewelry and metal hairpins that could affect the quality of the images.
• If you’ve had any prior PET or CT scans performed somewhere other than Raleigh Radiology or WakeMed, please bring them with you or ask your doctor to send them to us. These can help your radiologist compare previously scans to the current scan.
• Please be on time so we can ensure your appointment goes smoothly.
• For diabetic patients only: Prior to your scan, be sure to take your oral medications as prescribed to keep your blood sugar within normal ranges. If your blood sugar is above 200 mg/dl, we may not be able to perform your scan. If you are insulin dependent, don’t take insulin within 2 hours of your scheduled appointment. Once the scan is finished, you can take insulin as needed.

F-18 FDG – for most cancers and neurologic diseases

Patient preparation includes:

1. Nothing by mouth (NPO) for 4 hours prior to your appointment time
2. May drink water and take any necessary medication with water
3. Low carbohydrate/no sugar diet beginning 24 hours prior to exam (Avoid starches, pasta, rice, beans, fruits, candy, gum and caffeine.)
4. No exercise or strenuous physical activity 24 hours prior to the exam
5. Although scan time is typically 15-30 minutes, expect to spend approximately 1.5 hours at our facility for your PET CT scan.

F-18 Piflufolastat (Pylarify) – for PSMA positive lesions in prostate cancer patients with suspected metastasis and candidates for initial definite therapy and/or suspected recurrence based on elevated PSA levels

1. No prep required for this exam

F-18 Fluciclovine (Axumin) – for prostate cancer recurrence with rising PSA levels

Patient preparation includes:

1. No strenuous activity 24 hours prior to the exam
2. Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the exam

Cu64 Dotatate (Detectnet) – for neuroendocrine tumor

Patient preparation includes:

1. Plenty of water the day before and day of the exam
2. No fasting required
3. If you are on long-acting somatostatin treatment, the exam must be scheduled just prior to your next dose. If you are on short-acting somatostatin treatment, you should discontinue for 48 hours prior to your exam.

F-18 Fluoroestradiol (Cerianna) – evaluation of ER+ lesions in recurrent breast cancer

1. No prep required for this exam

F-18 Florbetapir (Amyvid) – for evaluation of beta amyloid plaque/Alzheimer’s dementia

1. No prep required for this exam

If you need to cancel or reschedule your scan, it is important to notify us at least 48 hours in advance.