VERY allergic, but is PET/CT better than PET alone?

buttonsmachine

Hi Everyone,

I'm scheduled for a combination PET/CT on Wednesday. I have previously had two PET only scans, but is anyone familiar with the PET/CT combination? Does it use CT contrast?

I'm VERY allergic to CT contrast and I'm afraid to have it, even with premeds. I'm thinking of refusing the CT contrast component. Does anyone know if the imaging you get from the combination PET/CT is really far superior to the PET alone? How reliable are premeds to prevent allergic reactions anyway?

As a bit of background, I'm about to start a second course of radiation (yes, really) and they're checking for mets before proceeding.

I will ask my MO these questions too, but I'd like feedback from others here. Thank you!