Before your appointment, please bring your referral letter and Medicare card if applicable. If you have any previous imaging or reports related to your condition, these may also be helpful for comparison.
You will usually need to fast for several hours before your PET-CT scan. In most cases, you may still drink plain water, but you should follow the preparation instructions provided by our team carefully, as requirements can vary depending on the type of scan being performed.
Please let our team know if you are diabetic, pregnant, breastfeeding, claustrophobic, or currently unwell. It is also important to tell us about any recent surgery, infection, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, as these can affect scan timing and interpretation.
When you arrive, a small amount of radiotracer will be administered, usually by injection. You will then rest quietly for a period of time while the tracer is absorbed by the body. This is an important part of the process and helps ensure the images are as accurate as possible.
Once the uptake period is complete, you will be taken into the scanning room and positioned on the scanner bed. The scan itself is painless, and the machine will move slowly over your body while images are acquired. You will need to lie still throughout the examination to help produce clear images.
Our team will guide you through each step and make sure you are as comfortable as possible during your visit.
A PET-CT appointment usually takes between two and three hours from beginning to end. This includes preparation, radiotracer uptake time, and the scan itself.
The imaging portion is generally much shorter, but the total appointment time is longer due to the preparation required.
Your PET-CT scan will be reviewed by a Specialist Radiology Group radiologist, with a detailed report provided to your referring practitioner. The timing of results may vary depending on the complexity of the examination and the clinical requirements.
Your referring doctor will discuss the findings with you and explain any next steps in your care.
We’re available during opening hours via email, telephone and via our online booking platform, which is open 24/7.