General PET/CT Scan FAQs
A Positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test which uses a safe, injectable low dose radioactive chemical called a radiotracer to reveal the metabolic or biochemical function of your tissues and organs. A PET scan can often detect the atypical metabolism of the tracer in diseases before it shows up on other imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It may help doctors find out:
Detecting cancer.
whether a lump is cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign)
whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (Metastasis)
Response to the treatment.
Finding a cancer recurrence.
A duly filled NHIF form – for Kenyan residents
A doctor’s request form indicating dates of last chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
A biopsy report.
Recent CT scan/ MRI reports and a copy of the patient’s ID.
For a person under 18, their birth certificate is to be presented
They give the doctor the medical history of the patient, which is very useful in giving a concise report.
The PET/CT is only done on an appointment basis.
Yes. NHIF fully pays for the FDG scan (General Oncology cases) and partially for the PSMA
scan (Prostate Cancer). whereby NHIF covers Ksh 50,000 and the patient tops up Ksh 10,000
NHIF approval takes about 48-72 hours (about 3 days) to approve.
The patient is to be on a fast of at least 6 hours. This means that they are not to take breakfast on
the morning of the scan. You can consume plain water.
The patient is advised to come at 6 A.M. as the system is on a first come first served basis.
The report is usually ready within 2 working days excluding the day of the scan.
It is not compulsory, but the patient can be accompanied on the day of the scan. However, the person is not allowed in the room during the scan.
Yes. The person needs to have all the documents required for booking.
Can a relative/friend pick the report on behalf of the patient, or can the report be sent via email?
Yes. This can be organized by the report collection team.
One can call 011-113-8106 | Email imagingcentre@kutrrh.go.ke . You can visit Integrated Molecular Imaging Centre ( IMIC ) front desk for further clarification.
Inform the medical staff of any specific medical conditions or allergies before the scan. They need this information to ensure that the scan is conducted safely and to adjust any procedures if necessary.
If you are claustrophobic, inform the staff beforehand. They can provide support and discuss options to help you feel more comfortable during the scan.
No, you should avoid chewing gum, breath mints, or candies before the scan, as they can affect the scan results.
If you are pregnant or suspect you might be, inform the medical staff immediately. PET scans involve radiation, which could be harmful to a developing fetus. Your healthcare provider will discuss alternative imaging options if necessary.
If you miss your appointment, you should contact the imaging center as soon as possible to reschedule.
The PET scan itself is painless. The injection of the tracer might cause a slight discomfort or a feeling of warmth, but it’s usually brief.
The frequency of PET scans depends on your medical condition and your doctor’s recommendations
PET scans generally do not interfere with metal implants or devices. However, inform the nurses about any implants or devices, as they can provide specific guidance based on your situation.
If you experience any unusual symptoms or allergic reactions following the injection of the tracer, please inform the healthcare provider immediately.
Yes, PET scans can be used for children, but they are typically performed with caution due to the radiation involved. Pediatric patients may require minimal sedation and special protocols to keep the radiation exposure to the lower limit.
The whole procedure, including preparation, injection and scanning takes approximately around 2 – 3 Hours. There might be slight variations for SPECT scans depending on the injectable tracers.
A CT scan only evaluates the anatomical structures of your body. Whereas the PET adds detailed metabolic / functional information of an organism. By combining the information about body’s anatomy and metabolic function, a PET/CT scan provides a more detailed picture of the cancerous tissues than
either test does alone. The PET and CT images appear in a single scan (fused image) allowing for a higher level of accuracy.
No. The PET/CT scan requires the administration of a radioactive isotope. For this reason, portions of the office are restricted and can only be occupied by the patient and the authorized medical personnel.
Like any other ionizing radiation diagnostic tests, PET/CT scans also involves radiation exposure to the patient and healthcare workers in the department. However, our doctors calculate the dose to be as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA principle) to get the optimal scans. Your Oncologist has ordered a PET
scan because he or she feels the benefits of the scan far outweigh any small risks associated with low levels of radiation associated with the scans.
No, a PET/CT scan is a diagnostic test. The results of a PET/CT scan help your Oncologist determine their treatment decisions.
Although FDG is very similar to glucose, the amount injected is so small it will not affect your blood glucose level.
The PET/CT scan is so sensitive that it can even be affected by eye motion, head motion, or stimulation during the “uptake phase”, which is the time immediately following your injection. The recommendation is for you to rest quietly in a dimly lit room during this ‘uptake phase’ after injection to obtain the best possible image quality.
The PET/CT scan is so sensitive that it can even be affected by eye motion, head motion, or stimulation during the “uptake phase”, which is the time immediately following your injection. The recommendation is for you to rest quietly in a dimly lit room during this ‘uptake phase’ after injection to obtain the best possible image quality.
At the scanning department, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown. The department staff may also ask you to remove any jewelry or objects containing metal. This includes:
piercings
hair clips
zips
your bra.
This is because the metal in these objects can affect the picture made by the scanner.
About 1 hour before the scan, the radiographer will inject a small amount of a radioactive substance through a cannula into a vein in your hand or arm. This substance is called a radiotracer. While you wait to have the scan, the radiographer will encourage you to drink water.
This helps in tracer distribution throughout the body and gets concentrated in the region of interest.
Very rarely, some people are allergic to the tracer. This can make them feel breathless, sweaty or weak. Tell the radiographer / nurse immediately if you experience such symptoms.
You can go home after the scan. The amount of radiation used is small. But the radiographer will advise you not to have close contact with pregnant people, babies and young children –under 7 years for 12 hours after the scan. After this, the radioactive substance will have passed out in your urine (pee) therefore encouraged to hydrate frequently.
Yes, diabetic patients should not consume any food or drink other than plain water for at least 6 hours before the scan. They should avoid coffee, tea, cola drinks, and alcohol for 24 hours before the scan. They should not take diabetes medications or insulin the morning of the scan but can take other non-diabetes medications after consulting the doctors.
