Positron emission tomography is a type of nuclear medicine test. Nuclear medicine imaging tests use a special camera and tiny amounts of radioactive drugs (called tracers). The test checks how well organs and other parts of your body are working. During the test, you’ll lie on a table that’s attached to a donut-shaped machine, called a positron emission tomography scanner.

For more information on posi​tron emission tomography scans, choose a link below:

• Positron emission tomography​​
• Positron emission tomography scan: About this test

How to prepare for a positron emission tomography scan

Instructions may vary depending on the type of positron emission tomography scan you are having. The instructions below explain how to get ready for your positron emission tomography scan so it can be done safely and correctly. Please read the instructions for your specific positron emission tomography scan and follow them before your appointment.

Positron emission tomography scan instructions

• Brain patient instructions
• Cardiac patient instructions
• Cardiac viability patient instructions
• CETO patient instructions
• F-18 PSMA DOTATATE patient instructions
• FDOPA patient instructions​
  
• Sarcoid patient instructions​
  
• Whole body patient instructions​
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Positron emission tomography scan with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Sometimes MRI is used with a positron emission tomography scan. MRI is a test that uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to make clear and detailed pictures of organs and structures inside your body.

• Brain enhanced patient instructions
• Brain non-enhanced patient instructions
• Enhanced patient instructions
• Non-enhanced patient instructions​​​​​​​​