During the scan, you will receive an intravenous injection of the Pylarify radiotracer and wait for about an hour for it to circulate through your body. The scanning process itself takes about 20-30 minutes. You will lie on a table that moves through the PET/CT scanner. Staying still during the scan helps produce the clearest images.
To prepare for your PSMA PET/CT, please follow these instructions below:
• Please arrive fifteen minutes prior to your appointment.
• Wear comfortable and loose clothing that doesn’t contain any metal including jewelry, belts, or buttons.
• Avoid eating or drinking in the hours prior to your CT scan. Based on the specific details for your exam, our staff at South Jersey Radiology will provide specific time periods to restrict eating or drinking.
• If you have any specific medical conditions or medications you take, please inform your physician or the staff at South Jersey Radiology.
Most patients do not experience any side effects from the Pylarify PSMA PET/CT scan. Some may experience mild discomfort or bruising at the injection site. Rarely, allergic reactions to the tracer can occur. If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them with your referring physician prior to the scan.
The entire process, including the tracer injection, waiting period, and scan, typically takes two hours.. The actual scanning time is usually around 30 minutes.
Once your scan is complete, one of our board-certified, subspecialized radiologists will analyze the results and develop a detailed report for your physician. Your physician will receive the report within 48 hours and follow up with you to go over the results.
After 5 – 7 days, your reports and images will be available to you via our easy-to-access patient portal.
South Jersey Radiology is in-network with 99% of health insurance providers. If you are unsure about our network status with your health insurance provider, please contact your provider directly. In some cases, insurance companies may attempt to tell you which radiology centers are preferred. As the patient, you have the right to choose if you would like your study performed as South Jersey Radiology.