Scan 4 Health Diagnostics offers the PET-CT Scan – Brain (FDG), a state-of-the-art neuroimaging test specially designed to deliver powerful insights into brain health, function, and disease. By combining positron emission tomography (PET) with computed tomography (CT) and using the glucose-based radioactive tracer FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose), this scan reveals areas of altered brain metabolism—often before structural changes are even visible on MRI or standard CT. Patients benefit from expert nuclear medicine teams, advanced technology, and a service that is fast, safe, and critical for diagnosing and managing a wide variety of neurological concerns.

Proper preparation for a PET-CT Brain (FDG) scan is essential for accuracy:

• Diet: Adopt a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet for 24 hours before the scan. Avoid all sugars, breads, pastas, rice, potatoes, fruits, and sweets. Eat proteins, leafy greens, eggs, and non-starchy vegetables.
• Fasting: Do not eat or drink (except plain water) for at least 6 hours before your appointment.
• Medications: Continue most regular medications, unless instructed otherwise. If diabetic, especially if on insulin or oral agents, consult your doctor or radiology center for special instructions and timing adjustments.
• Activity: Avoid vigorous exercise and strenuous activity for at least 24 hours before your scan, as this can alter normal brain glucose uptake and affect the scan’s accuracy.
• Substance Avoidance: No alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, or chewing gum the day before. Refrain from smoking and vaping for 24 hours.
• Clothing: Wear comfortable, metal-free clothes and remove all jewelry and hair accessories before the test.
• Relaxation: Remain relaxed and limit sensory stimulation—don’t read, listen to music, or perform other mental tasks in the hour leading up to your scan.
• Preparation at clinic: Your blood sugar will be checked, and an intravenous (IV) line will be started for the tracer injection. You may be required to sit quietly in a dim room while the tracer circulates.

PET-CT Scan – Brain (FDG)

PET-CT Scan – Brain (FDG) is a unique hybrid test harnessing the power of PET to capture metabolic activity and CT to depict brain anatomy. An FDG tracer injected into your bloodstream is taken up by active brain tissue in proportion to glucose metabolism. Diseased or malfunctioning areas of the brain can appear as regions of reduced or abnormally increased FDG uptake, often highlighting subtle dysfunctions within nerve cells (neurons) that other tests cannot detect.

You’ll rest quietly as the tracer circulates before lying on a scanning table that moves through the PET-CT camera. The scan itself is painless and takes about 30–45 minutes, although full clinic time may be 2–3 hours due to preparation and uptake phases.

Why use PET-CT Brain (FDG)?

• Diagnosing and monitoring neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, frontotemporal, and Lewy body dementia)
• Evaluation of epilepsy (to localize seizure focus)
• Brain tumor grading, recurrence detection, and therapy monitoring
• Investigation of unexplained cognitive decline, memory loss, or behavioral changes
• Assessment of brain injury, infection, inflammation, or rare metabolic and psychiatric conditions

Book your PET-CT Scan – Brain (FDG) at Scan 4 Health Diagnostics for unrivaled brain imaging, early and accurate answers, and comprehensive care on your neurological journey.