Positron emission tomography (PET) scan services for children

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a diagnostic scan that uses a small amount of a radioactive material to help physicians determine a diagnosis or evaluate how well a treatment is working for children with a variety of conditions.

The radioactive material given does not cause any side effects and the amount given is calculated by the child’s weight. We use standardized Image Gently guidelines to give the lowest radiation dose possible to achieve high-quality images.

What to Expect

You will receive specific instructions on how to prepare for your child’s scan when you schedule your appointment. Scan appointments typically take 3-4 hours total.

We offer sedation as needed for children of any age. Because a child’s PET scan results may include the appearance of brown fat deposits that make a scan harder to read, we provide a low dose of blood pressure medication to certain patients depending on their needs and conditions that prevent the deposits and reduce the need for re-scan.

The following information will help you prepare:

PET Brain Scan

When your child receives a PET brain scan, he or she will receive an IV (a central line may be used, depending on the patient’s needs). We will place leads — electroencephalography monitoring cables — on your child’s scalp to monitor for seizure activity.

The radioactive drug needed for the scan will be administered to your child through the IV. He or she will not feel any differently. Your child will need to remain quiet and calm during this time, and may watch a movie on a tablet, listen to music or sleep. An adult may stay with the child for this period of time.

We will then remove the leads and perform the scan, which typically takes 30 minutes. Sedation may be needed for the scan portion only, depending on the patient.

PET Scan

Your child will need to follow a low-carbohydrate, high-protein and high-fat diet the day before the scan. On the day of the scan, your child may only have water for the six hours before the scan. Diet preparation may be different if sedation or other scans are needed.

When your child receives a PET scan, he or she will receive an IV (a central line may be used, depending on the patient’s needs). A small amount of blood will be drawn from the IV or central line to check your child’s glucose (sugar) level.

The radioactive drug needed for the scan will be administered to your child through the IV. He or she will not feel any differently. Your child will need to remain quiet and calm during this time, and may watch a movie on a tablet, listen to music or sleep. An adult may stay with the child for this period of time.

The scan typically takes 30-45 minutes. Sedation may be needed for the scan portion only, depending on the patient.