What is a PET scan?
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan takes pictures after a medicine has been injected into a vein. The medicine is called a radiopharmaceutical (a tiny amount of a radioactive liquid) and the pictures will show it in your child’s body.
Where can my child get a PET scan?
We perform PET scans at Children's Memorial Outpatient Center in Westchester. Request a first-time appointment online or call 1.800.KIDS DOC (1.800.543.7362).
Before your visit
Before the test, we suggest you talk to your child about what will happen. For young children, use simple words and explain only shortly before the test. There is special preparation for this test and a nurse will call you the day before with instructions. Also know we recommend sedation for children under age 5. Also before your visit, please:
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before your child's scheduled appointment time.
- Do not allow food, drink (except water) or chewing gum at least six hours before your visit - all can interfere with results.
- Do allow your child to drink plenty of water.
- If your child takes medications, give only water (not juice) to swallow them. And if your child has been advised not to take his medications on an empty stomach, allow only a few soda crackers at least six hours before your visit.
- If your child is diabetic, please call us at 708.836.4897 before the exam so we can work with your doctor to determine the safest way to prepare.
- Dress your child in comfortable clothing, avoiding metal snaps and zippers - all can interfere with results. After you arrive, we may suggest your child wear a hospital gown.
- Keep your child from strenuous physical exercise 24 hours before your visit.
- Tell us if your child might be pregnant or is currently breast feeding.
- For infants, bring along a bottle of formula or juice with you for after the test. Bringing a pacifier, blanket or special toy may also help calm your baby.
- For older children, bring a book, DVD or toy to play with while waiting.
- Know it is helpful to have another caregiver for your child's siblings.
- If on the day of the test, your child feels feverish, please let us know.
What to eat the night before (whole body scans only)
The night before the test, it is important your child eat a high fat, low carbohydrate, protein allowed diet. This ensures quality pictures, and helps us interpret your child’s exam more accurately. Here are foods your child should eat – and avoid – the night before the exam.
Foods to eat
- Eggs, prepared without milk or vegetables
- Meats, any type
- Cheeses, any type
- Cottage cheese
- Fish and seafood
Foods to avoid
- Foods high in sugar
- Fruit and fruit juices
- Soda
- Milk
- Candy
- Syrup
- Bread, bagels, toast, muffins
- Peanut butter
- Nuts
- Vegetables, including potatoes
- Beans
- Pasta and rice
- Crackers
- Cereals
- Pancakes/waffles
During the procedure
A technologist or nurse will place a small needle called an IV into a vein in your child's hand or foot. The needle hurts for just a moment. When the needle is in, the medicine is injected into a vein. Then, your child will lie in a dark, quiet room for 1 hour.
After an hour, pictures will be taken. Your child will need to lie still on a soft table while a special camera is used to take pictures of him. He may need a safety belt to help him lie still. If sedation medicine is necessary, a nurse or doctor will explain it to you. It will take at leas 45 minutes to take all of the pictures. During this time, the camera will not hurt or touch your child. You will be able to stay with your child during the entire test.
It is possible that during the procedure your child may experience some discomfort. Please tell the doctor, nurse or technologist if pain occurs.
After the scan
The child eliminates the medicine from his body by urinating. He should drink plenty of fluids and urinate often to help clear it from his body. It should be completely out of his body within 24 hours.
As always, you and your child should wash your hands after urinating or when handling urine-soaked diapers or sheets.
After the test, your child may return to regular daily activities and meals. If your child had sedation medicine, he will be monitored by a nurse in the recovery room until he wakes.
This amount of time is often unpredictable depending on the amount of sedation medicine given. It is common for children to sleep 2 hours after the medicine is given.
A nurse will give you special instructions. Results of the test will be available to your child's doctor within 24 hours.
Technology/Scanners used
The camera used to take pictures is a PET/CT scanner called the GE Discovery ST.