For the indication of the parathyroid gland adenoma, we offer PET-CTs with the long-established special tracer F‑18 CHOLINE.
About the appointment
- PET-CT cancer diagnostics
- Immediate appointments
- Private institute
How choline works
A long-established special tracer.
Endocrinological tumour diagnostics
For the clarification of parathyroid adenomas in case of hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid hyperfunction) if no adenoma is detected with conventional diagnostics including parathyroid scintigraphy. Surgery planning can be improved with the precise localisation of an adenoma whereby the extent of the intervention can potentially be reduced.
Visualising pathological tissue
Choline is a nutritional component that the body’s cells integrate within their outer limitation (cell membrane). Increased growth and metabolism of the cells occurs for various benign and malignant illnesses. The cells then absorb more choline than healthy cells. The CHOLINE PET/CT takes advantage of this principle. Radioactively labelled choline is administered in order to visualise pathological tissue.
Well-informed in all matters
Requirements for a choline PET-CT
- Examination costs are not covered by statutory health insurers. Some private health insurers cover parts of the costs, and you should certainly submit our fee note to your private health insurer.
- An individual tracer is produced for your examination depending on the medical condition.
- If you are unable to keep the appointment, we would like to ask you to inform us at the latest by noon on the previous day; a cancellation fee will otherwise be charged.
Important information
- Please bring any previous findings and images to your examination.
- Please arrive at the examination nil by mouth. You should have had your last meal the night before the examination.
- Drink plenty of water one hour before the examination.
- A possible pregnancy must be ruled out.
- Please inform us while making the appointment if you are a nursing mother so that we can discuss the further procedure with you.
- Contact with pregnant women and toddlers should be avoided on the day of the examination.
Procedure for a choline PET-CT
- We inject a small dose of radioactive tracer substance that has been specifically prepared for your examination.
- Images are taken 5 and 60 minutes after the injection of the tracer.
- The scanning process takes about 20 minutes.
- You should drink plenty of liquids post-examination in order to accelerate the excretion of the tracer.
- Please let us know if you suffer from claustrophobia.
Possible side effects
- The injection of the radioactive tracer is not expected to cause any side effects.
- However, side effects may result from the administration of the iodine-containing contrast agent within the context of a possible accompanying contrast agent-guided computer tomography (intolerance reaction, hyperthyroidism, exacerbation of pre-existing renal insufficiency).
- Please be sure to let us know within the context of the informed consent discussion if you have previously had a reaction to contrast agents (skin redness, itching, swelling, shortness of breath, etc.).
Waiting time for an appointment
Appointments with short waiting times are possible.
Costs & reimbursement
PET-CTs are currently not listed within the benefits catalogue of statutory health insurers and therefore only covered through private health insurance.
Our fee notes can be submitted in any case to all private health insurers that cover outpatient services.
Various tracers are used depending on the condition. We will gladly inform you about the costs during a personal consultation.
We ask you to, at the latest, cancel your appointment at noon on the day before the examination since tracers are specifically prepared for each examination.
A cancellation fee is charged in case of late appointment cancellation or if the examination cannot be performed.//
