Biochemical properties of the brain can be visualised with a PET scan, for example in order to clarify a dementia diagnosis. Plaque deposits – which are typical for Alzheimer’s disease – can be visualised at an early stage by means of a radioactive substance. The disease can be confirmed or excluded based on the beta-amyloid protein.
About the appointment
Well-informed in all matters
Requirements for a PET-CT of the brain
- 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.
- Please bring any previous findings and images to your examination.
- 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.
- 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 PET-CT of the brain
- A PET-CT of the brain takes about 20 minutes; including preparation time, the whole process takes 90 minutes.
- We inject a small dose of radioactive tracer substance that has been specifically prepared for your examination.
- The examination is performed while lying down inside the examination tube.
- 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.
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.//