Epilepsy & Pre-Surgical Workup
Brain PET Scan for Epilepsy — Finding Where Seizures Begin
A brain PET scan for epilepsy is not a cancer investigation. If your neurologist has referred you for one, it is to map where in your brain seizures are starting — information that can shape whether surgery is suitable and how it is planned.
Medically reviewed by Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Gold Medal) · DNB · DM (Medical Oncology, Gold Medal) · Last reviewed September 2026
- This is not a cancer scan — A brain PET for epilepsy measures how active different parts of the brain are. It has nothing to do with whether cancer is present.
- Usually done between seizures — The scan is performed when you are seizure-free. The area that generates seizures shows lower glucose activity than surrounding tissue in that state.
- Useful when MRI is inconclusive — If MRI has not clearly identified the cause of your seizures, a PET scan can add functional information about which area is involved.
- Guides surgery planning — Your neurologist interprets the result alongside EEG and MRI to decide whether surgery is appropriate and where to focus.
17+
Cancer Specialists
on Panel
on Panel
96.9%
Breast Cancer
Survival Rate*
Survival Rate*
15,000+
Patients
Treated
Treated
4.8★
Google Rating
(800+ reviews)
(800+ reviews)
A brain PET scan measures glucose activity across your brain. The area where seizures begin tends to use less glucose than surrounding tissue when you are between seizures. Your neurologist uses this pattern to locate the seizure focus, particularly when MRI results are unclear. This is not a cancer scan — it is a neurological investigation.
PET-CT at CION starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
What does a brain PET scan find in epilepsy?
The scan uses a small amount of radiotracer that the brain absorbs like glucose. A PET scanner maps how much of it each brain region is using, creating a picture of activity across the whole brain.
The area that generates seizures tends to use less glucose than surrounding tissue when you are between seizures. This lower activity is the pattern your neurologist is looking for when they review the images.
This is not a cancer investigation. PET scans are also used in oncology, and CION is a cancer network — but a brain PET ordered by your neurologist is a separate, non-oncology indication, coordinated through partner imaging centres.
When does a neurologist refer someone for this scan?
The scan is most often part of the workup for drug-resistant epilepsy — where seizures have continued despite two or more appropriate medications tried at adequate doses.
It is particularly useful when MRI has not identified a clear structural cause. The American Academy of Neurology and the International League Against Epilepsy recognise pre-surgical brain PET in their evaluation guidelines for carefully selected patients.
Your referring neurologist or epileptologist retains clinical responsibility for how the findings are used. The scan result is one piece of a larger investigation that also includes your EEG recordings, MRI, and clinical history.
PET-CT Partner Centres
PET-CT Scan Centres in Hyderabad
CION offers PET-CT scans through 4 trusted partner PET-CT centres across Hyderabad, so you can choose the one closest to you. Call 18002028726 and we’ll guide you to the earliest available appointment.
PET-CT Centre — Punjagutta
PET-CT Centre — Himayatnagar
PET-CT Centre — Narayanaguda
These are partner diagnostic centres within the CION network. Toll-free booking: 18002028726.
Meet the Specialists
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
Interventional Radiologist
Dr. Mohammed Imran
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Surgical Oncologist
Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.
Book Free ConsultationBook an appointment with our specialist
Share your name and number — we'll call you back within 30 minutes to schedule your consultation.
You do not have to work this out alone
A 45-minute consultation with a specialist who treats this every week.
Is the scan done during a seizure or between them?
Almost always between seizures. This is called an interictal scan and is the standard approach in pre-surgical epilepsy evaluation.
You will rest quietly in a dimly lit room for around thirty to forty minutes after the radiotracer is given, while your brain absorbs it. The scan itself takes around twenty minutes in the scanner.
The scan does not confirm a diagnosis of epilepsy on its own, and it does not predict whether surgery will succeed. Your clinical team interprets it alongside your full investigation.
What else should I know before the appointment?
Is the radiotracer safe?
The amount of radiotracer used is small and is cleared from your body within a few hours through normal processes. Brain PET for epilepsy uses the same class of radiotracer as many other accepted medical investigations. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your referring neurologist and the imaging team before the appointment — they will advise whether and how to proceed.
Should I stop my epilepsy medicines before the scan?
Do not change or stop your medicines without asking your referring neurologist first. For most interictal brain PET scans, the aim is to keep your brain in its usual treated state between seizures. Stopping medicines without guidance may increase your seizure risk and may change what the scan shows in ways that make it harder to interpret.
What if the scan comes back normal?
A normal or inconclusive brain PET does not rule out epilepsy or mean that surgery is not possible. The investigation continues with EEG, MRI, video-EEG monitoring, and clinical history together. No single investigation decides the question alone. Your neurologist will explain what the result means in the context of your full workup and what the next step is.
How long will the whole appointment take?
Allow two to three hours, including the uptake period before the scan and the scan itself. You will usually be asked not to eat for four to six hours beforehand, though you can drink plain water. Your imaging team will send you specific preparation instructions. If you have diabetes or any other condition that affects fasting, tell them in advance.
Who gives me the results, and what happens next?
The results go to your referring neurologist or epileptologist, not to CION. They will interpret the findings alongside your full investigation and discuss what the results mean and what options they open up. The imaging team at the scan centre reports the images but does not make treatment decisions. Your referring specialist retains clinical responsibility for your care throughout.
Did you know?
Brain PET can detect reduced metabolic activity in the seizure-generating area even when structural MRI appears normal.
This is why the American Academy of Neurology and the International League Against Epilepsy include it in pre-surgical evaluation guidelines for patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who are being considered for surgery.
Source: American Academy of Neurology and International League Against Epilepsy — pre-surgical evaluation guidelines for drug-resistant focal epilepsy
CION does PET-CT in Hyderabad from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in the city — including an oncologist-reviewed report and a free Rs 950 consultation. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Explore 100 more PET-CT for Your Cancer Type topics
Non-Oncology PET-CT
- Brain PET for Dementia and Memory Loss
- Brain PET for Epilepsy and Seizure Focus
- Cardiac PET for Heart Muscle Viability
- Cardiac PET for Sarcoidosis and Inflammation
- Does a Non-Cancer PET-CT Cost the Same?
- PET-CT for Fever of Unknown Origin
- PET-CT for Non-Cancer Conditions: Why You Have Been Referred
- PET-CT for Suspected Bone or Spine Infection
- PET-CT for Suspected Infection in Implants and Grafts
- PET-CT for Unexplained Weight Loss
- PET-CT for Vasculitis and Large Vessel Inflammation
- Preparation for a Cardiac or Brain PET Scan
- What If a Non-Cancer PET Scan Finds Something Suspicious?
- Who Reports a Non-Oncology PET Scan?
Breast Cancer PET-CT
- Axillary Node Uptake on PET for Breast Cancer
- Bone Metastases in Breast Cancer: PET or Bone Scan?
- Breastfeeding and PET-CT Scans
- Incidental Breast Uptake Found on a Scan for Something Else
- Is a PET-CT Needed for Early Breast Cancer?
- PET-CT Cost for Breast Cancer Staging in Hyderabad
- PET-CT and Breast Implants
- PET-CT for Breast Cancer Recurrence
- PET-CT for Breast Cancer: When Is It Needed?
- PET-CT for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer
- PET-CT for Triple-Negative and HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
- PET-CT to Check Response in Breast Cancer
GI, Liver & Colorectal PET-CT
- Focal Bowel Uptake: When to Do a Colonoscopy
- Mucinous Tumours: Why PET Often Misses Them
- PET-CT Before Liver Resection or HIPEC
- PET-CT Cost for GI Cancer Staging in Hyderabad
- PET-CT for Colorectal Cancer
- PET-CT for Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer
- PET-CT for Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
- PET-CT for Liver Metastases: How Reliable?
- PET-CT for Oesophageal and Stomach Cancer
- PET-CT for Pancreatic Cancer
- Peritoneal Spread on PET-CT: What It Can and Cannot See
- Rising CEA With Normal Scans: Where Does PET Fit?
Gynaecological Cancer PET-CT
- PET-CT After Chemoradiation for Cervical Cancer
- PET-CT Cost for Gynaecological Cancer in Hyderabad
- PET-CT and Pregnancy: Why It Is Avoided
- PET-CT for Cervical Cancer
- PET-CT for Endometrial and Uterine Cancer
- PET-CT for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
- PET-CT for Ovarian Cancer
- PET-CT for Vulvar and Vaginal Cancer
- Para-Aortic Node Uptake in Cervical Cancer
- Physiological Uterine and Ovarian Uptake
- Rising CA-125 With Normal Scans
- Why the Bladder Makes Pelvic PET Harder to Read
Head, Neck & Thyroid PET-CT
- Dental Work, Fillings and Artefacts on Head-Neck PET
- Neck Node Uptake on PET: What It Means
- PET-CT After Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer
- PET-CT Cost for Head and Neck Cancer in Hyderabad
- PET-CT for Cancer of Unknown Primary in the Neck
- PET-CT for Head and Neck Cancer
- PET-CT for Nasopharyngeal Cancer
- PET-CT for Oral Cancer Staging
- PET-CT for Salivary Gland and Sinus Tumours
- PET-CT for Thyroid Cancer: When Is It Used?
- Rising Thyroglobulin With a Negative Iodine Scan
- Vocal Cord and Muscle Uptake in the Neck
Lung Cancer PET-CT
- Adrenal Findings During Lung Cancer Staging
- Brain Metastases: Why PET Is Not Enough for Lung Cancer
- Lung Nodule With High Uptake: Cancer or TB?
- Mediastinal Nodes on PET-CT: Staging the Chest
- PET-CT After Lung Cancer Treatment
- PET-CT Before Lung Cancer Surgery
- PET-CT Cost for Lung Cancer Staging in Hyderabad
- PET-CT for Lung Cancer: What It Shows
- PET-CT for Mesothelioma
- PET-CT for Small Cell Lung Cancer
- PET-CT for a Lung Nodule: Is It Cancer?
- Pleural Effusion and Pleural Uptake on PET
Lymphoma & Blood Cancer PET-CT
- Bone Marrow Involvement on PET in Lymphoma
- Deauville Score in Lymphoma: The Complete Guide
- End-of-Treatment PET in Lymphoma
- How Many PET Scans Will a Lymphoma Patient Need?
- Interim PET in Lymphoma: The Scan That Changes Treatment
- Lymphoma Staging on PET-CT: Ann Arbor and Lugano
- PET-CT Cost Across a Lymphoma Treatment Course
- PET-CT for Hodgkin vs Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- PET-CT for Lymphoma: Why It Matters More Here
- PET-CT for Multiple Myeloma
- PET-CT in Leukaemia: When Is It Used?
- Residual Mass After Lymphoma Treatment: Scar or Disease?
- Surveillance PET Scans After Lymphoma Remission
- Thymic Rebound and Marrow Uptake in Young Lymphoma Patients
Urological & Other Cancer PET-CT
- PET-CT Cost for Urological Cancers in Hyderabad
- PET-CT for Bladder Cancer
- PET-CT for Bone Metastases From Any Cancer
- PET-CT for Brain Tumours: Why MRI Comes First
- PET-CT for Kidney Cancer: Why FDG Is Unreliable
- PET-CT for Melanoma
- PET-CT for Neuroendocrine Tumours: FDG or DOTA?
- PET-CT for Paediatric Cancers
- PET-CT for Rare and Unusual Cancers
- PET-CT for Sarcoma
- PET-CT for Skin and Merkel Cell Cancers
- PET-CT for Testicular Cancer
Your next step
Talk to an oncologist about your scan
Your PET-CT report read by a senior oncologist, explained in plain language, with a free 45-minute consultation.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Does being referred to CION for a brain PET scan mean I might have cancer?
No. CION is a cancer network, and a PET scanner sits at a partner imaging centre — which can make the setting feel confusing. But a brain PET for epilepsy is a neurological investigation that has nothing to do with cancer. Your neurologist has referred you for functional information about brain activity to help plan your epilepsy care. If the setting feels unclear, tell your team and they can explain.
What if the brain PET scan does not show any clear abnormality?
A normal or inconclusive scan does not close the door on a diagnosis or on surgery. Your neurologist interprets it alongside EEG, MRI, and clinical history — no single test decides. If the PET is inconclusive, the workup continues with additional investigations such as video-EEG monitoring. Your neurologist will tell you what the result means and what the next step is.
Can I eat and drink normally before the scan?
Most brain PET protocols ask you not to eat for four to six hours before the scan, because food raises blood glucose and can affect how the radiotracer distributes in the brain. Plain water is usually allowed. Your imaging team will give you the exact instructions when they confirm the appointment. If you have diabetes or take insulin, contact them in advance — the preparation may need to be adjusted for you.
Will the scan expose me to a large amount of radiation?
The radiation dose from a single brain PET scan is low — broadly similar to a few months of background radiation that everyone is exposed to naturally. The radiotracer is cleared from your body within hours. Your referring neurologist has considered the information the scan provides against that exposure in recommending it. If you have concerns, raise them with your neurologist before the appointment rather than on the day.
Can this scan tell us whether epilepsy surgery will work?
No single investigation can predict that. The brain PET is one part of a multi-step evaluation that also includes EEG monitoring, MRI, neuropsychological testing, and in some cases additional procedures. Your surgical team uses all of that together to decide whether surgery is appropriate and what kind. No investigation or clinician can guarantee an outcome, and a responsible team will explain what is realistic for your specific situation.