Do Not Eat Before a Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET/CT) Scan: A Case Report

An 89-year-old man with a history of lung cancer surgery underwent a positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) scan for suspected recurrence. The patient agreed to a six-hour fast before the scan. The PET/CT scan showed extensive accumulation in the skeletal muscles throughout the body. A large amount of content was found in his stomach. Despite his claim to have fasted before the scan, the patient seemed to have eaten. Eating before a PET/CT scan will significantly impair image quality. Fasting is essential before the procedure.