Information
About Your Brain or Heart PET Scan
Clinical PET Facility
Phone:
314-362-4PET (362-4738)
Toll-Free:
888-362-4738
Fax: 314-362-5428
To register prior to your appointment:
Pre-Registration:
314-362-7111
Toll-Free:
877-992-7111
Appointment
Date: _______________
Time: ______________
When can I have the results of my
PET scan?
Ordinarily,
your scan will be interpreted on the same day and the results sent to your
doctor. Except for unusual circumstances, we prefer that the doctor who ordered
your test discuss the results with you because your doctor is the one who will
choose the next step in your diagnosis or treat-ment.
Will the PET scan be covered by my
insurance?
Coverage
for PET scans varies by insurance carrier. Please check with your doctor or
directly with your insurance carrier if you are concerned about the cost of the
test.
Will the PET scan be covered by
Medicare?
Please
discuss with your doctor whether or not Medicare will pay for your PET scan.
Where is the PET Facility located?
The
Clinical PET Facility is located on the 7th floor
of the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology Building at Barnes-Jewish South.
DIRECTIONS:
From Interstate 64/US 40: Exit
at Kings-highway north and turn right onto
From Interstate 44: Eastbound–exit
at Kingshighway and turn left. Westbound–exit at McRee and turn right on Kings-highway.
Approximately 1 mile North, turn right onto
From Interstate 55 or 70: Exit
to Inter-state 44 and follow directions above.
What
is PET?
Positron
Emission
Tomography
(PET) is a unique non-invasive test that provides information about the body’s
function not available through any other type of imaging test. PET images
functional processes, such as brain or heart metabolism, rather than imaging
anatomy, as is done with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI).
PET imaging is usually accomplished by
injecting a radioactive sugar (FDG), which is similar to glucose, the sugar in
your diet. The FDG is taken up in cells that are using sugar and is detected by
the PET scanner, which creates images of the metabolism of the cells of the
body.
How
is PET imaging used?
PET is used as a diagnostic test for
certain brain and heart diseases, and for cancer. PET of the brain is used to
help locate the area of the brain causing seizures and to diagnose diseases
that cause memory loss and other neurologic symptoms. PET of the heart is used
to determine whether heart tissue is viable and likely to improve with
treatments that will improve blood flow to the heart. The information from PET
can help your doctor to plan the best course of treatment for you or could
prevent unnecessary surgery.
How
should I prepare for a brain PET scan?
• As with any
radiology test, please let us know before your appointment if you are pregnant
or nursing.
• Do not eat anything for at least 6 hours
prior to your test. This includes hard candy, chewing gum, and
beverages containing sugar. However, you should drink liberal amounts of plain
(not flavored) water on the day of your test.
• If you take medicine for diabetes, please
contact us for special instructions. Otherwise, you
may take your usual medications with water on the day of your test.
• Please leave all
jewelry and valuables at home or with a friend or family member who will
accompany you.
• It is important
that you arrive on time. The radioactive tracer, FDG, is ordered especially for
your appoint-ment and may not be useable if you are late.
What
should I expect for a brain PET scan?
A
small i.v. line will be started in a vein of your arm or hand. This i.v. line
will be used to draw a sample of blood to check your blood sugar. Next, you
will receive an injection of FDG along with some saline or water solution into
the i.v. line. You will be asked to rest quietly in a dark-ened room for about
30 minutes while the FDG circulates in your body. After the waiting period, you
will use the restroom to empty your bladder and then will move into the
scanning room.
Because
FDG is similar to sugar there are no side effects and you will not feel any
differently after the injection. The PET scanner is similar to a CT scanner.
You will lie on your back for 30-minutes while the pictures of your brain are
taken. The test will take 90 minutes-2 hours. After your scan, you should empty
your bladder again and can resume all your nor-mal activities. The FDG leaves
your body through the kidneys and urine, so you should drink plenty of liquids
after the scan.
How should I prepare
for a heart PET scan? • As with any
radiology test, please let us know before your appointment if you are pregnant
or nursing. • There is no
special preparation required for this test. • You
may take your usual medications on the day of your test. • Please
leave all jewelry and valuables at home or with a friend or family member who
will accompany you. • It is important
that you arrive on time. The radioactive tracer, C-11 acetate, is ordered
especially for your appoint-ment and may not be useable if you are late.
What should I expect
for a heart PET scan? A small i.v. line will be
started in a vein of your arm or hand. You will be positioned in the scanner at
the level of your chest with your arms resting above your head. Pictures are
taken before and after the injection of the tracer. The tracer used is a
radioactive form of acetate, a compound normally present throughout the body.
You will not feel any differently after the injection. The test will take 1-2
hours. After your scan, you can resume all your normal activities.