Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT)



Whether you’ve received a referral for a PET scan or are exploring your options on your own, we’re here to help you understand what comes next. This page covers everything you need to know about a PET scan—from how to prepare beforehand, to what to expect during the exam, and how to proceed afterward. 

What is a PET Scan?

A PET scan shows how your organs and tissues are working, not just what they look like. A PET scan uses a small and safe amount of radioactive substance (called a radiotracer). The radiotracer travels through your body and collects in areas with higher activity—like fast-growing cells or areas of inflammationhighlighting areas of concern. This can help detect disease even before physical changes appear. 

PET scans may be performed in combination with CT scans (PET/CT) to provide more detailed information about a disease and help guide treatment. 

Before Your Appointment

Scheduling Your Exam

Our Patient Access Coordinators are available to assist with scheduling your appointment.

(212) 746-6000

Monday through Friday 8AM to 7PM ET and Saturday and Sunday 9AM to 5PM ET.

Our Locations that Offer PET/CT

  • David H. Koch Center (Upper East Side)
  • Weill Greenberg Center (Upper East Side) 

Complete Your Exam Forms Easily

Log in to Weill Cornell Connect to complete your safety forms ahead of time using eCheck-In. It’s quick and helps save you time on the day of your appointment. 

Don’t have an account? Join today! 

Preparing for Your Exam

When scheduling and checking in for your appointment, please let our staff know if any of the following apply:

  • You may be pregnant
  • You are diabetic
  • You have an allergy to contrast dye
  • You need an interpreter in your language

Please plan to stay on-site for a minimum of two (2) hours.  

FAQ

Do I need to fast before my PET/CT exam?

Depending on the type of exam you are having, you may need to fast before your scan,  adjust the use of certain medications, or modify your exercise routine. Please login to our patient portal, Weill Cornell Connect, for detailed prep information specific to you and your exam.   

For certain exams, fasting is required to ensure high-quality images. If you do not follow fasting instructions, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.  Patients who need to fast will receive a call two (2) days before your appointment to reconfirm any necessary preparations and to help ensure everything goes smoothly.  

What should I wear to my PET/CT appointment?

Wearing the right clothing may eliminate the need for you to change into a gown prior to your exam. We suggest:

  • Loose-fitting cotton or linen clothing (think loungewear or pajamas).
  • Avoiding clothing or undergarments with metal fasteners, zippers, hooks, underwires or other metal components.
  • Leaving jewelry, watches, and other accessories at home. 

What should I bring with me on the day of my PET/CT appointment?

  • A copy of your prescription if you have it. You can also upload your prescription before your exam here.
  • Your insurance card.
  • A list of your current medications.
  • Any prior imaging that has been done outside of Weill Cornell Medicine, Columbia University or NewYork-Presbyterian. 

What can I expect on the day of my PET/CT appointment?

  • Check-In and Patient Verification: Your safety is our priority—we’ll verify your information when you check-in.
  • Changing: If your clothes contain metal, we’ll ask you to change into a gown.
  • Radiotracer InjectionA nurse or technologist will place an IV and inject the radiotracer. You will then sit comfortably in a private room for approximately 60 to 90 minutes while the radiotracer concentrates in the target organ or tissue.
  • Depending on your exam, you may need to drink a solution, take a pill, or receive an additional injection.

During Your Appointment

How is a PET/CT performed?

  • You will lie still on a table that slides into a large, circular opening of the scanning machine
  • As the scan begins, you may hear humming sounds while the images are being captured. During this time, both PET and CT images will be obtained. The scan will take about 60 minutes
  • Your technologist will be able to see and communicate with you throughout the entire process to ensure you're comfortable

After the Scan is Complete

The technologist will escort you to your locker to collect your belongings. Our staff will assist you with check-out and help answer any questions you may have.

After Your Appointment

Aftercare

  • You may be advised to avoid prolonged close contact with pregnant women, babies, or young children for 12 hours after your scan until the radiotracer is fully out of your system.
  • You will be instructed to drink 10 glasses of fluids within 24 hours to help flush the radiotracer out of your system.
  • You may resume all regular activity unless otherwise directed by your physician.
  • While uncommon, if you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, please contact us at 646-962-7057. 

Imaging Review

Once the technologist has taken your images, a radiologist will review the images and write a detailed report. Our radiologists specialize in imaging for specific areas of the body, ensuring you receive the highest-quality, expert interpretation every time. Our specialties include:

  • Abdominal
  • Breast
  • Cardiothoracic (Heart and Chest)
  • Molecular
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Neuroradiology (Brain, Head, Neck and Spine)
  • Pediatrics

Receiving Your Results

Your report will be automatically share with you and your referring provider within 24-48 hours. You can view your images and reports through Connect. Use this guide to get started.

Sharing Your Results

All imaging exams performed at Weill Cornell Imaging will be available to you in Connect. If you'd like to keep other members of your care team informed, you can easily share your results with any additional providers.

Understanding Your Results

Please contact your referring provider to discuss your results. They will help explain your imaging report and answer any questions you may have. 

If you or your provider have additional questions, our Reading Room Coordinators (RRC) will help connect you with a radiologist.  

For more information or to contact a RRC, visit this link.