Before Your Scan — Preparation Instructions

General Instructions (All Imaging Types)

Item Instruction
Fasting (NPO) Do NOT eat or drink for 3 hours before your appointment. (FDG patients — see instructions below.)
Hydration Increase your fluid intake in the 12 hours before your scan. Drink extra water throughout the day prior.
What to Wear Loose, comfortable clothing — no metal zippers, snaps, or underwire. You may be asked to change into a gown.
Medications Take regular medications as prescribed unless instructed otherwise.
Allergies Notify staff of any allergies, especially to contrast dye, iodine, shellfish, or prior CT reactions.

PET/CT — FDG Additional Instructions

Non-Diabetic Patients

  • No food or drinks (other than water) 4 hours before the exam — including gum, candy, cough drops, mints, cough syrup, liquid medications, and vitamins.
  • No strenuous exercise for 24 hours before exam.
  • Drink 16 oz of plain water before arrival.
  • Blood glucose will be tested at the exam and must be under 200 mg/dL.

Diabetic Patients

  • No food or drinks (other than water) 4 hours before the exam — including gum, candy, cough drops, mints, cough syrup, liquid medications, and vitamins.
  • No strenuous exercise for 24 hours before exam.
  • Drink 16 oz of plain water before arrival.
  • Do not take glucose or insulin 4 hours before exam.
  • Set insulin pump to "basal" setting 4 hours before exam.
  • No long-acting insulin after midnight the night before.

PET/CT — PSMA

No special dietary restrictions required. Your team will provide any specific instructions at scheduling.

What to Expect on the Day of Your Scan

When you arrive, staff will confirm your identity and complete a brief safety screening. Here is what to expect:

  • Remove jewelry, glasses, hearing aids, and any metal objects.
  • You will lie on a padded table that slides slowly through the scanner — a large, donut-shaped machine.
  • You may be asked to hold your breath briefly during certain phases to improve image quality.
  • If receiving contrast, a small IV will be placed in your arm. A warm flush sensation and brief metallic taste are normal and pass quickly.
  • The scanner makes humming and clicking sounds — this is completely normal.
  • You will be awake throughout. The technologist will be nearby and in communication with you at all times.
  • Women under age 55 will be asked to provide a urine sample for a pregnancy test before the exam.
  • PET/CT patients: A small amount of radioactive tracer will be injected, and you will rest quietly for 45–60 minutes before imaging begins.

Important — Please Tell Us Before Your Scan If You:

  • Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
  • Have ever had a reaction to IV contrast dye or iodine
  • Have kidney disease or a history of poor kidney function
  • Have difficulty lying flat or experience claustrophobia
  • Have a pacemaker, implanted device, or metal implants
  • Are diabetic (required for FDG PET/CT — see above)

Please notify our office at least 24 hours in advance if you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment.

After Your Scan

Once your scan is complete, you may return to all normal activities immediately. If contrast dye was used, drink plenty of water for the rest of the day to help your kidneys flush it from your system.

A radiologist will review your images and send a detailed report to your urologist. Your care team will review your results with you at your follow-up appointment.

Insurance Authorization — What to Expect

  • After your appointment is scheduled, our team will begin the insurance authorization process for imaging to be done at our Advanced Urology location. This step is required before your scan can take place.
  • Sometimes authorization can take additional time. If there are any delays or issues, we will contact you directly with updates and next steps.
  • If your authorization is not approved in time, we may need to reschedule your appointment. We will contact you to reschedule.

Notice of Alternative Imaging Providers

Your physician's order has been sent to our authorization team to start the process for Advanced Urology to perform the imaging. You have the option to have the imaging performed at another healthcare facility. If you choose to have the imaging performed elsewhere, you must let us know within 48 hours so we can send the order to that facility. That facility will then be responsible for obtaining all necessary authorizations from your insurance.

These are some facilities that provide the imaging service your provider has ordered. Each one has multiple locations throughout the metro Atlanta area. The phone number provided is their general information line.

Healthcare System Phone Website
Wellstar Health System 770-956-7827 wellstar.org
Piedmont Health System 404-605-5000 piedmont.org
Northside Hospital 404-845-8200 northside.com
Emory Healthcare 404-778-7777 emoryhealthcare.org
American Health Imaging 855-674-2464 americanhealthimaging.com

Questions About Your Imaging Study?

If you have questions about your procedure, preparation, or insurance authorization, our team is here to help.

Call 678-344-8900

Contact Advanced Urology for any questions about your imaging study