Having a PET-CT scan

Transcript

Hi, I'm Claudia, I'm going to show you what happens when you have a PET-CT scan.

A PET-CT scan is short for Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography, which is simply a machine, with lots of special cameras, which take detailed images of the inside of your body. Some say it looks like a big doughnut.

There are two things you need to do to prepare for your PET-CT scan.

Don't eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Don't wear any clothes with metal on them, such as buttons.

You'll also have to take off any metal jewellery or watches. This is because metal will make the pictures look bad.

When you arrive for your scan, the first thing to do is to check in at the front desk, so the team know you're here.

If you're a patient in the ward, your nurse will take you to the Medical Imaging department.

The medical imaging nurse will then take you to the uptake room, to get ready for your scan.

The nurse will ask you your name, date of birth and your address.

They will also check that you haven't had anything to eat or drink in the past 4 to 6 hours.

Make sure you are not wearing anything metal, as it will make the pictures look bad. You will change into a hospital gown, or pyjamas, if necessary.

A doctor will also come by to have a chat, to make sure you're ready for the scan.

For your scan, a thin tube called a cannula will be placed in your arm. If you already have a central line or port, they will use this.

A special substance called sparkle juice is then injected through the cannula, central line or port, to help the doctors see the inside of your body clearly.

You have to wait for around an hour after having the sparkle juice before you can have your scan. Your Mum or Dad can wait with you in the uptake room while you watch a movie. They just have to stay behind a special protective shield.

- Hey Mum!

- Hi honey!

The last thing you need to do before your scan is go to the toilet to empty your bladder, or have a wee. Now you're ready for your PET-CT scan.

The person who takes the picture is called a tech.

- This is Troy.

- Hi everyone!

For the first part of the scan, you will slide in and out of the doughnut while the tech takes some planning pictures.

Next, you will slide into the scanner again, so pictures of your body can be taken. This is a CT scan part.

For the last part, you will move further into the machine for more pictures. This is the PET scan part.

It will take around 20 minutes, and it's very important that you lie still at all times, so that the tech can take the best pictures.

You will be able to watch a movie on the roof while you wait, but remember to stay really still.

After the scan, your pictures will be sent to the doctor, so they can look at them and write a report.

You will be given something to eat, and maybe even a sweet treat for doing well. The cannula will also be taken out if you needed one. The whole process might take some time, but once you're in the doughnut, it's actually fun.

That's it for now, good luck.