Nuclear Medicine Preparation

Written order needed.

Biliary Scan (exam time: 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours with the possibility of delayed imaging from 3 hours and up to 24 hours after the start of the exam)

  • Do not eat or drink anything four hours before the exam.

Renal Scan (exam time: 90 min; visit time about 2 hours)

  • Drink two eight-ounce glasses of fluids one to two hours before your exam.

Renal Scan with Captopril (exam time: 2.5 hours; visit time about 3 hours)

  • Ask your doctor about going off ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonist 48 hours before your exam.

Gastric Emptying (exam time: three hours; visit time about 4 1/2 hours)

  • Do not eat or drink 12 hours before your exam.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) (approx. visit time: 3½ hours)

You can print and fill out the or the , depending on your study, to speed the registration process.

48 hours before exam:

  • Do not do any strenuous exercise

12 hours before exam: 

  • Stay on a no carbohydrate, no sugar diet (see below)
  • Do not have gum or mints, and do not consume caffeine including decaf products. Note: Decaffeinated products contain caffeine.

6 hours before: 

  • Do not eat anything. 
  • Drink water as needed.
  • Take medications as prescribed.
  • If you are diabetic, ask your doctor about diet and medication

Positron Emission Tomography with FDG (FDG PET) (exam time: three hours; total of three visits over two days)

Note: There are two types of PET exams, FDG PET and Rubidium PET (also known as Myocardial Perfusion PET.) Rubidium PET requires a different preparation than the one listed below. If you are not sure which PET exam you are having, please call our scheduling department at 310.423.8000 (option 1. )

FDG PET scans require careful preparation, so please follow instructions carefully.

(Diabetics should discuss the preparations with their doctor.)

  • 24 hours before your appointment:
    • Do not do any strenuous exercise.
    • Refrain from consuming any caffeine, including any decaffeinated products.
  • 12 hours before your appointment:
    • Stay on a no-carbohydrate diet. (See below for a guide on what to eat.)
    • Do NOT engage in any strenuous exercise.
    • Do NOT chew gum.
    • Avoid mints.
  • 6 hours before your appointment:
    • Do NOT eat anything.
    • Drink water as needed.
    • Take any prescribed medications as usual.
    • If you are diabetic, please consult your doctor for questions regarding diet and medication.
  • No-Carbohydrate, No-sugar Diet Guide:

    Foods allowed:
    • All meats
    		 
    • Tofu
    • Hard cheeses
    		 
    • Eggs
    • Unsweetened peanut butter
    		 
    • Oil, margarine, butter
    • Diet soda (be careful to avoid caffeinated and decaffeinated sodas.)
    		 
    • Non-starchy vegetables (such as: broccoli, spinach, green beans.)
     

    Foods not allowed:

    • Cereals
    		 
    • Breads
    • Pasta
    		 
    • Rice
    • Dry beans
    		 
    • Gravies
    • Fruit and fruit juices
    		 
    • Jams and jellies
    • Sugar and candy
    		 
    • Honey
    • Starchy vegetables (such as: peas, corn, potatoes)
    		 
    • Milk (including non-dairy milk)
    • Alcohol
    		 
    • Coffee or Tea
     

Why Choose the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center for a Nuclear Medicine study?

The S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center provides a full range of advanced imaging, both radiology and cardiology, as well as interventional radiology and interventional tumor (oncology) treatments to the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Encino, Mid-Cities, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Studio City, Toluca Lake, and West Hollywood.  

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