HULL ROYAL INFIRMARY - PET/CT

There is a small amount of radiation involved in the procedure, similar to other diagnostic scan procedures such as CT. The risk associated with this is very small and it's considered that the risk of missing a serious problem if you don't have a PET/CT scan is much higher. It's safe to say that within 8 hours there will be an insignificant amount of radioactivity in your body. And please remember that this imaging technique has been used safely since 1973, with many thousands of examinations being performed on patients around the world each day. Do I need an injection? Yes, in order for us to obtain images, we'll give you an injection of a tracer into a vein – usually your arm.

In some circumstances, we may give you a mild sedative to enhance the results of your scan. If this is necessary, it'll be discussed with you prior to the day of your test so that you can arrange for someone to accompany you home. If you're given this mild sedative, we recommend that you don't drive for 24 hours following your scan. It's very important that you arrive on time for your appointment as the injection you're given has a very short shelf life - this means that if you're late, we won't be able to proceed with your scan.

If you're unable to attend or are going to be delayed, please contact your centre at the earliest opportunity. Can I eat or drink on the day of the scan? Unless we tell you otherwise, please don't have anything to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to your appointment, although you can drink plain water. We encourage you to drink plenty of plain water both before and after your scan (approximately 4 to 5 glasses) as this helps flush the injection we give you through your body. You may continue to use the toilet as usual prior to your scan.