Preparation for Specific Studies

Patient Information

No food for 4 hours prior to study. PATIENTS MAY DRINK WATER, but no other type of liquid is allowed. Please do not chew gum!
Patients should wear warm, loose-fitting clothing, such as sweats or a flannel shirt. It will not be necessary to remove any clothing for the PET scan. Do not wear any heavy metal objects.
Patient should take regularly scheduled medications if they can be tolerated on an empty stomach.
Insulin dependent diabetic patients should speak with their physician prior to this exam.
Patients may be asked to undergo a bowel preparation on the evening prior to the PET exam. A prescription for the bowel prep medication may be necessary.
Patient MUST bring any pertinent CT or MRI films along to the PET examination.

Physician Information

Please note, patients treated with chemotherapy should wait 4 weeks from the last date of treatment before a PET exam is done.
Please note, patients treated with radiation therapy should wait 12-16 weeks from the last date of treatment before a PET exam is done.
Use of PET to monitor tumor response during a planned course of therapy is not advised at this time.
Patients should plan to spend 2-4 hours with us for the PET examination, as delayed images may be required.

If you have any questions regarding the PET exam, please call us!
Tel: (978) 689-4738
Fax: (978) 682-0984

If for any reason patients are unable to attend the scheduled PET exam, please call us 24 hours in advance.