PET/CT Scan

What is a PET-CT Scan

PET-CT is a combination of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan and a Computed Tomography (CT) scan obtained at the same time, by a single piece of equipment. Most PET-CT scans are performed for oncologic reasons. They assist in staging, re-staging and evaluating treatments. PET scans show your body's metabolic activity, while CT scans show your anatomy. A PET-CT scan is a highly advanced medical imaging tool. It provides information about how your organs are working. Sometimes, your doctor may refer to a PET-CT scan as a PET scan or PET imaging.

When combined, the PET and CT scan shows what is happening inside your body, including both normal and abnormal metabolic activity, as well as the anatomic details of the area where the normal and abnormal activity is taking place. A PET-CT Scan is used for the staging of cancers and assessment of neurological conditions.

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How does PET-CT work?

PET-CT imaging is a painless diagnostic test that allows radiologists a unique view of the body's biological functions. Almost all diseases alter the body's biological processes. PET-CT is able to discover these changes in their earliest stages, often before any symptoms appear. Effective treatment plans can be initiated sooner with information on early-developing cancers.

During a PET scan, a radioactive tracer is injected into the body and is tracked as it moves through organs and a large scanning machine will create images of your body. The patient then waits the amount of time recommended by the radiologist for the tracer to distribute within the body. The radiation exposure associated with PET-CT is safe and lower than that associated with conventional CT scanning.

What are the benefits of PET-CT?

Risks of PET-CT Scans

For your PET-CT scan, a radioactive drug called a tracer will likely be injected into a vein. Because the amount of radiation you're exposed to in the tracer is small, the risk of negative effects from the radiation is low. The amount of radiation you're exposed to in a standard PET-CT scan is safe.

The radiotracer becomes quickly less radioactive over time and will usually be passed out of your body naturally within a few hours. Drinking plenty of fluid after the scan can help flush it from your body.

As a precaution, you may be advised to avoid close contact with pregnant women and young children for a few hours after having a PET-CT scan. This is because you'll be slightly radioactive during this time.

If you think you are pregnant or are pregnant, please consult your physician prior to scheduling your PET-CT scan.

Nursing mothers should pump and store breast milk before the test. They will not be able to resume breastfeeding for 24-hours following the test.

People who are allergic to sugar substitutes, such as aspartame and saccharin, should avoid PET-CT scans or at least alert their physician that they’re allergic.

Insurance Coverage for Your PET-CT Scan

Your insurance will likely require you to have a referral for a PET-CT scan. Contact your insurance company to ask if you will need to pay for any or all of the cost of the procedure. Find out if you need any approval or pre-authorization before this test is done, based on your specific health insurance policy. Sentara reviews all orders and documents to ensure medical necessity is met for all procedures. Sentara’s concierge team then sends for pre-authorization. If for any reason the scan is not covered, a team member will reach out to your ordering physician’s office.

Sentara requires the following information for PET-CT appointments and your doctor’s office should provide this information directly to the location where you will have your test.

Completed signed Sentara PET-CT request order
Office note - History and physical
Pathology report corresponding to anatomical diagnosis
Previous Imaging reports (CT, Nuclear Medicine and PET)

Medicare Coverage
Medicare may cover PET-CT scans but generally a doctor must order the scan and it must be for a medically necessary reason.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has a specific list detailing the criteria for PET-CT scans and PET-CT Scans for Oncologic Conditions. Please note we provide this information for your reference, but your doctor’s office will handle this process for you.