PET scan in Israel uses a radiotracer—18F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose)—to highlight areas of abnormal metabolic activity. This enables doctors to detect tumors and metastases, even at very early stages. It is a key method in PET imaging for cancer and increasingly applied in complex diagnostic cases abroad as well, including in PET-CT abroad clinics.
PET-CT Scan with 18F-FDG
In recent years, PET-CT in Israel has become one of the leading diagnostic tools for various types of cancer. This advanced nuclear imaging in Israel allows specialists to determine the extent of tumor spread in the body, assess response to treatment, and conduct ongoing monitoring. Additionally, PET-CT with 18F-FDG has proven highly effective in detecting infections and is widely used in neurological evaluations for conditions such as epilepsy and degenerative brain diseases.
What is a PET-CT Scan with 18F-FDG?
Preparation for the Procedure
For optimal results, certain preparation guidelines must be followed:
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy should wait at least two weeks before scheduling a PET-CT with 18F-FDG.
- After radiation therapy, it is advised to wait at least six weeks.
- If you are receiving medications that increase white blood cells, pause for 14 days before the scan.
- In cases of biological therapy or steroid treatment, consult the Nuclear Medicine Center regarding optimal timing.
- Hormonal and bisphosphonate therapy can usually continue as scheduled.
Additional instructions:
- Avoid physical exertion for 48 hours before the scan.
- Do not eat or drink (except water) for 4–6 hours prior to the procedure.
- Bring recent bloodwork showing creatinine levels (within the past 3 months).
- If you have prior imaging results (CT, MRI, PET), bring them on a CD, along with biopsy reports.
- Wear warm clothing and avoid jewelry on the day of the scan.
Special Instructions for Diabetic Patients
Diabetic patients should ensure blood sugar is below 150 mg/dL to maximize scan quality. In such cases, it is recommended to schedule the scan in the afternoon. Medication or insulin can be taken in the morning, followed by a light breakfast, after which fasting should continue (only water allowed).
If your scan includes contrast material, and you are taking oral hypoglycemic agents, suspend the medication 48 hours before and after the procedure in consultation with your referring physician.
How the PET-CT Scan Is Performed
The visit to the PET-CT center in Israel usually takes around four hours and includes:
- Registration and a brief consultation with the physician and nurse.
- Blood glucose check, IV catheter placement, and administration of 1.5 liters of contrast fluid to enhance intestinal visualization.
- Intravenous injection of 18F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose). If there are no contraindications, IV contrast may also be used.
- One-hour resting period in an isolation room.
- The FDG PET scan itself, lasting approximately 20 minutes.
Are There Any Side Effects?
There are no known side effects associated with PET-CT without waiting time or delays. The procedure is safe and non-invasive.
PET-CT Without Waiting
The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center offers PET-CT without waiting for international patients, ensuring quick access to diagnostics and expert interpretation. If you are seeking PET-CT abroad, especially in a world-class medical facility, Israel offers high-end services with minimal wait times and top-tier technology.
FAQ
Israel is renowned for its quality of healthcare all over the world. The Sourasky Medical Center is at the forefront of medical care. We apply the latest and most sophisticated technologies for advanced therapeutic services and precise diagnostic testing. Our state-of-the-art facilities will ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible throughout your stay. Our English speaking exceptional doctors are esteemed internationally for their expertise and pioneering techniques, and about 90% of them have practiced or trained abroad, at leading healthcare facilities in North America or Europe.
The Medical Center complies with international standards for medical procedures, diagnostic testing, and clinical research.
We are a department within the Medical Center. All the stuff and members are employees of the Medical Center. We are not an agent. When you deal with us, you deal directly with the Medical center. Therefore, there are no extra fees or commissions on top of the price of treatments.
Tel Aviv is centrally located, an easy plane flight from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the U.S. Convenient flights are available from major cities throughout the world from a broad spectrum of airlines.
Just 20 minutes from Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport, the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is located in the heart of Tel Aviv, Israel's most vibrant metropolis and the center of the country's finance, commerce, arts, culture, and entertainment activities. The Medical Center is just a several-minute drive from the beautiful, relaxing beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. Tel Aviv is blessed with a comfortable climate: short, mild winters with plenty of pleasant, sunny days, delightful spring and fall seasons, and a constantly sunny summer from June through October.
Tel Aviv is a cosmopolitan city that offers so much to tourists and residents alike. With a wide array of accommodation options—from luxurious to low-budget hotels—Tel Aviv is an extremely friendly city for visitors seeking medical treatment. This European-style city offers an excellent public transportation system. There are highly accessible convenience supermarkets and coffee shops—usually open 24 hours a day—within walking distance of the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. There is an abundance of shopping, ranging from clothing boutiques and artisan crafts to art galleries and leading international brand shops.
Given the outstanding level of quality care, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center’s fees are surprisingly reasonable. In most instances, treatment at the Medical Center, including medical fees and travel expenses, are considerably lower than comparable medical facilities in the US or Europe.
The cost of treatment varies significantly, depending upon the type of treatment and its complexity. Please contact our Medical Tourism Center to provide the details of your required treatment and we will be happy to provide you a price quote
The price list for the various medical treatments that we offer can be found on the Israeli Ministry of Health's website.
Please refer to the column titled: Price for patient from abroad.
It is important to ensure you have the correct documentation required to enter the country. For example, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Israel. Visitors from some countries must have a tourist visa. We recommend that you check the website of the local Israeli Consulate in your country for more specific information.
The staff at the Medical Tourism Center is ready and willing to assist you with all your needs. We will be more than happy to discuss your specific situation and provide you with any additional information regarding our medical services, doctors and facilities. If necessary we can provide you testimonials from former patients. Please feel free to contact us today.
