Request appointment

PET/CT Scan

What is PET/CT Scan?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging technique that allows physicians to assess various physiological processes and metabolic activities in the body. PET scans are used to diagnose a variety of diseases, including diagnosis and staging of most cancers, rheumatological disease and several brain disorders. Used in conjunction with computed tomography (CT) it provides detailed anatomical and functional information.
Preparing for your examination
Reasons for getting one
What to expect
Your Results
Related information

PET/CT at Noosa Radiology

Noosa Radiology installed the first privately owned premium digital PET/CT on the Sunshine Coast.

The combination of LSO crystals and digital detectors has the following advantages over older analogue systems:​

  • Increased resolution results in more accurate cancer staging​
  • Increased sensitivity results in faster scan times​
  • SAFIRE dose reduction

Integrated with the AI platform for:​

  • AutoID – improved diagnostic accuracy ​
  • ALPHA – automatic landmarking of human anatomy for personalised scans​
  • OncoFreeze – motion corrected 4D imaging

Preparing for your examination

Please be aware that all PET/CT scans require an appointment. Please call us to arrange a time. ​​

Some tests require specific preparation that is very important to improve the accuracy of the PET/CT examination. Preparation and times vary between scans and our staff will advise of all requirements when booking your appointment. ​​

The tracers used in PET have a shelf life of only a few hours, so it’s important you follow the instructions of your doctor and our nuclear medicine technicians closely. If poor preparation forces your appointment to be rescheduled, the tracer ordered for your appointment will expire and this cost may be passed on to you. ​

  • ​Wear warm, comfortable clothing with no metal objects. i.e. zippers, underwire bra. ​
  • No jewellery. ​
  • Limit of one person to attend appointment with you. No children as radiation is present. ​
  • Remain well hydrated. Drink plenty of plain water as tolerated on the day of your test and empty your bladder as needed. ​
  • Please inform our staff if there is any possibility of you being pregnant or if you are breast feeding. ​
  • A diagnostic CT scan may be requested by your doctor. Please advise our staff if you have an allergy to Iodine contrast. ​
  • PSMA PET/CT no additional specific patient preparation. ​

Reasons for PET/CT

PET radiology is particularly useful in oncology for cancer staging, detecting metastases, and monitoring treatment response. It can also provide valuable information in cardiology, neurology, and other medical fields where understanding metabolic activity is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning. ​

The combination of PET with CT (PET/CT) allows for the correlation of functional information from PET with precise anatomical details from the CT, enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of the investigation.

What to expect

On arrival you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire. You will be taken through to the PET preparation/ radiotracer uptake room by a technologist. There will be a comfortable recliner chair for you within this room as you may be here for over an hour as required for your test. You may be provided with a gown to wear instead of your own clothes or be asked to remove all metal including emptying your pockets and removing your belt and jewellery. Your blood sugar levels will be checked and then you will then be cannulated. ​

The injection of the radiotracer is given through the cannula. The PET camera detects positrons emitted from the radiotracer to create images of the body. The resulting images help physicians to diagnose and evaluate various conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. You will need to remain still during the imaging; however, you are able to breathe normally. Procedure times vary depending on the area being scanned, but typically 15-20 minutes is required. ​

Upon completion of your PET scan, we will give you something to eat and drink and monitor you for around 10 minutes. As a radiation precaution we do encourage you to go straight home after the procedure and not make other appointments for this day. We also encourage limiting time within close proximity to small children or pregnant women on the day following your test. Our Technologists may provide additional radiation precautions as required. ​​

Please allow up to 2.5 hours for the entire duration of PET/CT appointments.

When can you get your results?

The images obtained are digitally recorded. At Noosa Radiology our highly trained and qualified radiologists interpret the images and provide a report for your doctor and/or referring health care provider usually within 24 hours, although depending on the complexity of the scan this may take a little longer.​

You will need to make a follow up appointment to discuss the results with your referring practitioner. Your doctor can access your report and images electronically via a secure portal and you will be able to access your images via our patient portal.

Related information

Upcoming closure:

Please note we will be closed in observance of
Australia Day public holiday on Monday, 26 January.

Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, 27 January.

Thank you for your understanding and we wish you a safe and relaxing holiday.

Upcoming closure:

Please note we will be closed in observance of the QLD
King’s Birthday holiday on Monday, 6 October.

Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, 7 October.

Thank you for your understanding and we wish you a safe and relaxing holiday.

Upcoming closure:

Please note our adjusted hours over the
Christmas & New Year period.

Thursday 25 December 2025: Closed
Friday 26 December 2025: Closed
Saturday 27 December 2025: Closed
Sunday 28 December 2025: Closed

MONDAY 29 DECEMBER 2025: OPEN 8AM to 5PM
TUESDAY 30 DECEMBER 2025: OPEN 8AM to 5PM
WEDNESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2025: OPEN 8AM to 5PM

Thursday 1 January 2026: Closed
Friday 2 January 2026: Closed
Saturday 3 January 2026: Closed
Sunday 4 January 2026: Closed

Normal hours resume from Monday, 4 January 2026.
Wishing you and your family a safe and joyful Christmas & New Year celebration.

Upcoming closure:

Please note that our clinics will be closed on Monday, 5 May for the Labour Day public holiday.

Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, 6 May

Thank you for your understanding and we wish you a safe and relaxing holiday!

Upcoming closure:

Please note we will be closed in observance of
ANZAC Day on Friday, 25 April.

Lest We Forget

Thank you for your understanding. Normal hours resume from Saturday, 26 April.

Upcoming closure:

Please note our adjusted hours over the Easter period.

Good Friday (April 18): Closed
Easter Saturday (April 19) Closed
Easter Sunday (April 20): Closed
Easter Monday (April 21): Closed

Normal hours resume from Tuesday, 22 April.
Wishing you and your family a safe and joyful Easter!

Upcoming closure:

Due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred to our community, we will be closed on Friday 7th March and Saturday 8th March for the safety of our staff and patients. We apologise for any inconvenience and will reopen on Monday 10th March.