A doctor’s referral and an appointment are required for a PET examination. If you have insurance, you will need prior approval which can be organised by our bookings team. 

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a small child on the appointment day, please notify us in advance to receive special instructions. 

You will receive detailed emailed instructions before the PET examination. We need to receive your referral form and know your weight before the appointment and you must fast for at least 6 hours before the examination, but you may be well hydrated with water only. 

• If you are a diabetic please notify SRG Radiology when making your appointment so that special instructions can be provided 
• It is important to arrive on time for your PET examination and give 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule, as our isotope supply is produced in Wellington, is very costly, and has a very short shelf life. 
• A diagnostic CT scan is performed as part of the PET/CT scan. This is done immediately on the same scanner. 
• The duration of the PET/CT Scan, including preparation time is approximately 2 to 3 hours. 

When you attend your appointment at SRG Radiology you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc, then change into an examination gown. If you would rather not get changed, wear clothing and underwear without any metal present to your appointment. 

The technologist will prepare and inject the tracer into an arm vein. You will then rest alone for 45-60 minutes while the tracer distributes through the body. During this period, you will be asked to relax and void frequent muscle activity. 

After the “uptake” time, the technologist will position you for the scan. The PET scanner is similar in appearance to a normal CT scanner; it takes around 15-25 minutes to complete the images for your PET/CT scan. You can breathe normally but must not move during this time. 

At SRG Radiology all PET/CT scans are performed by registered Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and a PET-credentialed radiologist or physician will review your relevant medical history, and other imaging, before reporting your PET/CT scans. 

After the images are checked, you will be given some after PET/CT scan care instructions provided. 

You will be able to return to normal activities, including eating normally again. You are encouraged to drink plenty of water to flush out the CT contrast used for the diagnostic CT scan. 

Radiation from the injected isotope diminishes to a safe level by the end of the procedure however you will be slightly radioactive for the 6 hrs after your scan is complete. For this time, we ask that you keep a small distance (approx. 2m) from any pregnant women and children under the age of 16 for the 6 hrs after you leave. 

Your results will be available to your referring doctor or health care provider 24 hours after your scan. If your results are required urgently, or you have an appointment straight after your scan with your referring doctor or health care provider please ensure you alert our team at the time of booking your appointment so we can arrange to have your results available immediately. 

PET/CT procedures are considered to be very safe and there have been no reported adverse reactions attributable to the use of 18F-FDG. Exposure to low doses of gamma radiation carries an extremely small theoretical radiation exposure risk. However, radiation exposure effects are cumulative in nature. With 18F-FDG the levels of radiation and theoretical risks are lower than typical CT scans.

These factors will be taken into consideration by your referring doctor in the light of your medical history and be balanced against the benefits of performing the test. All radiation doses are reduced to a level as low as reasonably achievable.  

The contrast media administered for the diagnostic CT scan prior the PET scan is an iodine-based contrast. CT contrast is generally safe. Adverse reactions can occur ranging from minor to severe. However, severe reactions are extremely uncommon.