Duration of a PSMA PET Scan
A PSMA PET scan typically takes approximately 15-20 minutes for the actual scanning procedure, with a total appointment time of about 2-3 hours that includes preparation, radiotracer uptake period, and the scan itself.
Scan Procedure Breakdown
Pre-Scan Preparation
- Patient registration and information entry into the PET/CT system 1
- Administration of the PSMA radiotracer (such as 68Ga-PSMA-11)
- Uptake period: 45-60 minutes after injection before scanning begins 1
Actual Scanning Time
- PET acquisition: Approximately 15-20 minutes for a standard whole-body scan 1
- Modern PET scanners can complete a whole-body scan in about 15-20 minutes 1
- Some centers may use 3-4 minute acquisition times per bed position 2
Total Appointment Duration
- Total time from arrival to departure: 2-3 hours
- This includes registration, radiotracer injection, uptake period, and the scan itself
Technical Considerations
Acquisition Protocols
- Standard protocol involves imaging at approximately 60 minutes post-injection 3
- Some centers perform dual-time imaging:
- First scan at 60 minutes post-injection
- Second scan 30-60 minutes later in cases of diagnostic ambiguity 3
Acquisition Time Optimization
- Research shows that 3-minute acquisitions per bed position provide similar quality to 4-minute acquisitions 2
- 2-minute acquisitions may be acceptable with modern equipment, though with somewhat lower quality 2
- Shorter acquisition times can improve patient throughput and comfort
Radiotracer Considerations
- 68Ga-PSMA-11 is commonly used with a half-life of 68 minutes 1
- 18F-PSMA-11 has also been developed with superior imaging characteristics 4
- The radiotracer preparation time using sterile cold-kit methods can be as short as 5 minutes, improving workflow efficiency 5
Important Clinical Considerations
- Early imaging (20 minutes post-injection) may provide detection rates comparable to standard-delay imaging (100 minutes post-injection) 5
- For dedicated brain imaging, a 5-minute acquisition is typically performed 45-50 minutes after injection 1
- Some centers perform early pelvic imaging (5 minutes post-injection) to better distinguish between urinary bladder activity and tumor lesions 6
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Inadequate uptake time can lead to suboptimal image quality and potential false negatives
- Movement during the scan can degrade image quality
- Failure to coordinate timing between radiotracer injection and scanning can lead to inefficient workflow and suboptimal imaging
PSMA PET/CT has shown promising results with best use for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer, with detection rates increasing with higher PSA levels 1.