What is SSTR (NOTA) PET-CT Scan?

SSTR (NOTA) PET-CT is a specialised scan used to detect Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) anywhere in the body. It uses a safe radioactive tracer that targets specific tumour cells. This scan helps your doctor with diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning.

Before Your Scan

Fasting

• Do not eat anything for 2 hours before your scan.
• Drinking plain water is allowed.

For Women

• If you might be pregnant, please take a test. This scan is not recommended during pregnancy.
• If you’re breastfeeding, please pump and store milk in advance. You can resume feeding after 24 hours.

What to Wear

• Wear loose, comfortable clothes.
• Avoid wearing jewellery or metal accessories.

What to Bring

• Doctor’s Prescription for the scan
• All Medical Records, including treatment history and allergy details
• Old Scan Reports and CDs, especially any previous PET-CT or SSTR scans
• Recent Serum Creatinine Report (ideally done on the day of the scan at our centre)
• One Family Member or friend to accompany you
• Home-cooked Food to eat after the scan

Time Required

• Total Visit Time: 3 to 4 hours
• Waiting Period After Injection: Around 1 hour
• Scan Duration: 15 to 20 minutes

Step-by-Step Process

1. Registration & Medical Review

• Fill in basic details at the front desk.
• A coordinator will discuss your medical history and answer your questions.
• Please share all relevant reports and prescriptions.

2. Getting Ready

• A nurse will give you clothes for the scan and ask you to remove any jewellery.
• A small tube (cannula) will be placed in your vein for the injection.
• If needed, blood samples will be taken for blood sugar and kidney tests using the same cannula.
• You may be asked to drink medicated water.

3. Radiotracer Injection

• The radiotracer will be injected through the cannula.
• You will rest for about an hour so the tracer can spread in your body.

4. The Scan

• A technician will guide you to the scan room.
• You will lie down and follow simple instructions.
• If needed, a contrast dye may be used for clearer images. This depends on your kidney function.
• The scan itself takes about 15–20 minutes.

5. After the Scan

• A doctor will check the images.
• Sometimes, a second scan may be needed after a short break.
• Once cleared, you can change, eat, and resume medication.

Aftercare Instructions

• You can eat, drink, and take your medicines as usual.
• You’ll stay for 30 minutes for a short observation.
• Avoid close contact with children and pregnant women for the rest of the day.
• The tracer leaves your body naturally in 10–12 hours. Drink plenty of water to flush it out faster.