Standard Aquisition Protocols

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PET/CT Protocols

Standard Body PET/CT [PTSC (Either Gemini Scanner)]:

  • Uptake Time – 60 minutes
  • Patient Positioning – Head First, Supine with arms above the head (for optimal thoracic imaging).
  • Scan Length – Base of Skull to the mid-thigh (from just Inferior to the eyes to between the Pelvis and the Knees)
  • Scan Duration – 15 - 30 minutes (generally 8 - 10 bed positions)
    • 1.5 minutes per bed position for patients with BMI < 25
    • 2 minutes per bed position for patients with BMI between 25 and 30
    • 3 minutes per bed position for patients with BMI ≥ 30
  • Scan Direction – From Head toward Feet

Whole Body PET/CT [PTWC (Either Gemini Scanner)]:

  • Uptake Time – 60 minutes
  • Patient Positioning – Head First, Supine with arms crossed low over the abdomen (allows for scanning of the entire body including arms).
  • Scan Length – Top of the head to the tip of the toes (usually done as a single scan, but may be split into 2 scans for tall people)
  • Scan Duration – 35 - 50 minutes
    • 1.5 minutes per bed position for the body and 40 seconds per bed position for the legs for patients with BMI < 25
    • 2 minutes per bed position for the body and 80 seconds per bed position for the legs for patients with BMI between 25 and 30
    • 3 minutes per bed position for the body and 120 seconds per bed position for the legs for patients with BMI ≥ 30
  • Scan Direction – From head toward feet

Standard Brain PET/CT [PTBM (Either Gemini Scanner)]:

  • Uptake Time – 30 minutes
  • Patient Positioning – Head First, Supine with arms crossed over the chest/abdomen or at sides (for patient comfort).
  • Scan Length – Single bed position that includes the entire brain
  • Scan Duration – 10 minute single time frame
  • Scan Direction – Single bed position

PET-only Protocols

Standard Body PET [PTST (Allegro)]:

  • Uptake Time – 60 minutes
  • Patient Positioning – Feet First, Supine with arms above the head (for optimal thoracic imaging).
  • Scan Length – Base of Skull to the mid-thigh (from just Inferior to the eyes to between the Pelvis and the Knees)
  • Scan Duration – 25 - 30 minutes (generally 8 - 10 bed positions)
    • 3 minutes per bed position for all patients
  • Scan Direction – From head toward feet

Whole Body PET [PTWB (Allegro)]:

  • Uptake Time – 60 minutes
  • Patient Positioning – Head First, Supine with arms crossed low over the abdomen (allows for scanning of the entire body including arms).
  • Scan Length –
    • Scan 1: From the top of the head to the mid-thigh
    • Scan 2: From the mid-thigh to the tip of the toes
  • Scan Duration – 45 - 60 minutes (for both scans)
    • 3 minutes per bed position for the body for all patients
    • 2 minutes per bed position for the legs for all patients
  • Scan Direction – From head toward feet

Standard Brain PET [PTBM (Allegro)]:

  • Uptake Time – 30 minutes
  • Patient Positioning – Head First, Supine with arms crossed over the chest/abdomen or at sides (for patient comfort).
  • Scan Length – Single bed position that includes the entire brain
  • Scan Duration – 30 minute single time frame
  • Scan Direction – Single bed position

Common Dynamic Brain PET [PTBM (Allegro)]:

  • Uptake Time – 30 minutes
  • Patient Positioning – Head first, supine with arms crossed over the chest/abdomen or at sides (for patient comfort).
  • Scan Length – Single bed position that includes the entire brain
  • Scan Duration – 30 minutes
    • Dynamic Scan Settings: 6 x 5 minute frames
  • Scan Direction – Single bed position