Scheduling and Preparation

Scheduling
A signed order from your physician is required for any test that he or she feels would aid in diagnosing your condition or evaluating various treatments. We ask that your physician call us for a free consultation to decide whether an FDG PET/CT scan or 18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET/CT bone scan would be helpful in your case. Should your physician then order a PET/CT scan, we will need the following:

Medical history
Copies of previous relevant diagnostic studies (e.g., CT's, MRI's)
Written order/letter of medical necessity from your physician
Insurance information

We offer flexible scheduling at our five PET/CT locations and are willing to work to accommodate your specific needs. Our five PET/CT locations are:

New England PET Imaging System in Methuen, MA is a fixed PET/CT facility located on the grounds of Holy Family Hospital. Please call (978) 689-4738 for more information.
New England PET of Greater Lowell, is a fixed PET/CT facility located at The Cancer Center of Lowell General Hospital. Please call (978) 458-9872 for more information.
New England PET at The Elliot at River’s Edge is a mobile PET/CT facility in Manchester, NH. Please call (603) 663-2370 for more information.
Massachusetts Mobile PET, P.C., at Anna Jaques Hospital is a mobile PET/CT facility in Newburyport, MA. Please call (888) 560-4738 for more information.
Massachusetts Mobile PET, P.C., at Merrimack Valley Hospital is a mobile PET/CT facility in Haverhill, MA. Please call (888) 560-4738 for more information.

ATTENTION: Children cannot go into the exam room with you. If you have small children who are unable to say alone in the waiting room, please bring someone to watch them. We cannot be responsible for children left unattended.

Patient Preparation
All patients should arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time.

FDG-PET/CT Scans
FDG-PET/CT patients should allow 2-3 hours for completion of the PET/CT examination. FDG-PET/CT patients must fast for 4 hours prior to a scan. They MAY DRINK WATER, but no other type of liquid is allowed. Flavored water is NOT allowed. No gum chewing is allowed! If a patient is an insulin-dependent diabetic, please notify the office staff as the patient will need specific instructions prior to the study.

For more information on preparing for an FDG-PET/CT scan, click here to download our patient brochure “About Your PET/CT Scan” which will help to explain more about preparing for an FDG-PET/CT scan.

18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET/CT Bone Scans
Patients scheduled for 18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET/CT bone scans should allow 1 ½ - 2 hours for completion of their study, and they need not fast prior to the examination. Patients should take their regularly scheduled medications.

If the patient has any medical problems that may affect his or her ability to lie still for up to 45 minutes, please let the office staff know at the time of scheduling. Our office staff will ask if the patient is claustrophobic, needs pain medication, or requires sedation. If the patient needs sedation, it must be provided by the referring physician's office.

For more information on preparing for your 18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET/CT bone scan, click here to access our preparation sheet for 18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET/CT bone scans.