Nuclear medicine and PET/CT

What is a PET/CT scan and how does it work?

PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography and CT is short for Computed Tomography. A PET/CT scan collects information on how your tissues and organs are currently working. This information can be used to locate, diagnose, and monitor many health issues including cancer. The scanner equipment looks like a standard CT machine.

During a PET/CT scan, a small amount of radioactive material called radiotracers, or radiopharmaceuticals, are injected into a vein in your arm or hand. These radiotracers help the PET/CT scanner detect where issues may be located and help determine the best treatment possible. PET/CT scans give your health professional information not available from other types of scans.

What is the scan used for?

PET/CT scans are used to help in the diagnoses of brain and neurological conditions. These may include tumours, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or similar conditions.

Scans are also used to locate cancer in order to determine the best treatment possible while also monitoring existing treatments. It can also help your health professional plan for surgery or radiation therapy.

In some instances, PET/CT scans can also be used to diagnose heart-related issues such as coronary artery disease.

Experience the power of digital detection and comprehensive care at Icon

Icon Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT at Bali International Hospital is equipped with the latest Siemens Biograph Vision 450, a state-of-the-art PET/CT system that delivers exceptional sensitivity and resolution for oncology imaging. This advanced scanner enables detection of disease at the molecular level, often before anatomical changes become apparent, supporting earlier diagnosis and more informed treatment planning.

Features

High-resolution imaging produces exceptionally clear, sharp images, enabling precise detection of small lesions and improving diagnostic certainty and staging accuracy.
Shorter scan times for whole-body imaging, making it easier to stay still.
Lower radiation dose while maintaining exceptional image quality.
Spacious 78cm bore size to reduce feelings of claustrophobia and improve comfort.
Fast turnaround time – reports will be ready within 24–48 hours
Access world-class care with our network of international specialists of nuclear medicine physicians.
Fully integrated and comprehensive nuclear medicine services, ensuring a seamless process from imaging to consultations or treatments under one roof.

Services

PET/CT FDG: The FDG (or Fluorodeoxyglucose) scan is available at our centre. It plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging and monitoring treatment response in oncology and other conditions.

Types of conditions suitable for PET/CT FDG Scan

- Assessment of metastases
- Determine treatment response
- Assessment of recurrence
- Initial staging following negative or equivocal CT or MRI
- Determine treatment response
- Guide radiotherapy planning
- Assessment of recurrence
- Determine treatment response
- Assessment of metastases
- Determine treatment responses
- Assessment of recurrence
- Guide radiotherapy planning
- Assessment of metastases
- Determine treatment responses
- Assessment of recurrence
- Guide radiotherapy planning
- Staging
- Determine treatment responses
- Assessment of recurrence
- Guide radiotherapy planning
- Staging
- Determine treatment responses
- Assessment of recurrence
- Guide radiotherapy planning
- Staging
- Determine treatment response
- Guide radiotherapy planning
- Assessment of metastases
- Determine treatment response
- Assessment of recurrence
- Pulmonary nodule >0.5cm and <4cm
- Negative PET: follow-up with CT
- Assessment of recurrence
- Assessment of metastases
- Rising thyroglobulin in the presence of a negative I-131 scan
- Dementia work-up

Conditions unsuitable for PET/CT scan

Being pregnant
Have a fasting blood glucose > 150 mg/dL on the day of scan
Took insulin or metformin within 6 hours before your PET/CT scan
Had surgery 2 weeks before your PET/CT scan
Had Barium enema examination within 1 week before your PET/CT scan
Had strenuous exercise within 24 hours before your PET/CT scan (including massage and sexual activity)
Claustrophobic or cannot lie down facing upwards during scan for 20-30 minutes

Frequently asked questions

Excluding diabetic medications, you can continue to take your regular medications for most medical conditions with water on the morning or your scan if you don’t need to take them with food.
Please speak to your doctor for advice for your specific needs.
For patients with Diabetes, please check your blood glucose level on the morning after your 12-hour fast. If your blood glucose is:
- 80-150 mg/dL, go to your appointment as scheduled.
- Below 70 mg/dL or you have hypoglycaemic symptoms, please treat your low blood glucose in your usual way. Do not let low blood glucose go untreated. You will need to call to reschedule your scan.
- Above 150 mg/dL, we may need to reschedule your scan. Please call the centre to discuss.
If you have any questions, please discuss with your doctor or contact the centre before your appointment.
As pre-scan preparations will vary by the scan needed, please check with us when making your appointment or with your consulting doctor.
PET/CT scans are non-invasive and painless procedures that typically do not require a support person to attend the appointment with you. However, if you do require sedation for your scan, you will need to be accompanied by a family member for your safety.
The small amounts of radiation that you will be exposed to during these scans have not been shown to cause harm. However, for children or patients that require multiple PET/CT scans there may be a slight increase in the risk of cancer in the future.
If you are concerned, please with your doctor about your personal health history and the number of scans you have had previously. This will help them decide the safest option for you.
- Please do not eat or drink anything besides plain water for six (6) hours before your appointment.
- Do not smoke on the day of your scan.
- Bring any previous x-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI films along with blood test, biopsy reports, and medication list.
- Please do not exercise or engage in any strenuous activity (including massage) 24 hours prior to your appointment.
- Excluding diabetic medicines, no change to medication is required.
- For Diabetic patients, please do not take oral diabetic medication or insulin injections on the day of the scan. Do bring the medication along with you to the appointment.
- Diabetic patients should also arrive to our centre 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment to have their blood sugar checked.
- You can expect to be at our centre for approximately three (3) to four (4) hours.
- If you need to reschedule, please inform the centre at least 48 hours in advance.
- If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, please notify our staff before your appointment.
This depends on the insurance plan that you have bought. Claims are usually approved if the PET/CT scan is used to monitor your cancer. However, if you are having a PET/CT scan to help diagnose cancer, the coverage depends on the result of your scan. We would encourage you to check with your insurance agents for more details on your insurance coverage.