Welcome

Welcome to the Clinical Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Center at UPMC Presbyterian. The PET scan your doctor has recommended will provide information that is important to your diagnosis and treatment.

Below you will find information to help you understand the PET scan procedure. If you have questions or concerns about your PET scan, talk to your doctor or call the PET Center at 412-647-0717 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• How PET Works
• Preparing for your PET Scan
• Your PET Scan
• After your Scan
• Your test results
• Financial Responsibility
• Location

How PET Works

Positron emission tomography combines computer technology with the expertise of medicine, chemistry, physics, and physiology to study the functions of the body.
When you have a PET scan, a small amount of radioactive material is injected into your bloodstream through a tube that is placed in a vein in your arm. The brain, heart, and certain cancerous tumors take up this material. The amount of radioactivity you receive as part of the PET scan is not harmful and is comparable to other diagnostic radiologic procedures, such as computed tomography (CT) or nuclear medicine scans.
The PET scanner measures the location of the radioactive substances in your body and a computer translates the information into picutres.

Preparing for your PET scan

You should not eat or drink anything except water for four hours before your scan. If you need to take medication during this time, check with your doctor first. If you are diabetic, take your medications and eat a light breakfast. You should wear comfortable clothing for the procedure. You should plan to spend half a day at the PET Center.
When you arrive at the PET Center, a staff member will ask you about your medical history, explain the procedure, and answer your questions.

Your PET scan

A nurse will insert a tube into a vein of your arm. The radioactive material will be injected through this tube about one hour before your scan. A nurse also may use this tube to check your blood sugar level prior to your scan. You may relax during this waiting period. A nurse will remove the tube just prior to or after the scan, depending on the procedure being conducted.
During your scan, it is important that you lie quietly on the scanner table. A PET scan usually lasts from one to two hours.

After your scan

Most of the radioactive material collects in your bladder. It is important to urinate shortly after your scan - preferably before leaving the PET Center - to remove the radioactive material from your body as quickly as possible. Most of the radioactivity is gone four to eight hours after the material is injected.

Your test results

The results of your study will not be available immediately. The PET Center will notify your doctor about the results once a radiologist has calculated and interpreted them.

Financial responsibility

Most insurers cover PET scans. However, you may be asked to sign a form stating you will pay should your insurance company not cover the procedure.

Location

The Clinical PET Center is located at UPMC Presbyterian, B-wing, ninth floor, in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. When you come to the center for your PET scan, you can use the hospital's convenient valet parking service. (The valets are not permitted to accept gratuities.) For valet parking, turn right at the intersection of Lothrop and Victoria streets. You will be in the main drop-off area for UPMC Presbyterian. Bear to the far right for valet parking. Call 412-647-3194, for the hours during which valet parking is avaliable.

When you enter the hospital through the main entrance, take the escalators or the elevators to the first floor Admissions desk. You will need to register for the PET center. (Click here to see the map and driving directions to Oakland.)