If the scan stops
What Happens If — Your PET Scan Cannot Be Completed?
A PET scan that stops before it finishes is uncommon, but it does happen. The technician will come to you, explain what they observed, and tell you what happens next. You will not be left without a plan.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Uncommon but not rare — Several things can cause a scan to stop before it finishes, and not all of them are predictable on the day.
- The technician decides what happens next — They check how much of the scan was completed and whether the images captured are usable before making any plan.
- A repeat scan is usually possible — Most of the reasons a scan stops can be addressed, so a complete study is still achievable at a later appointment.
- Ask about cost before you leave — Whether there is a charge depends on why the scan stopped — the answer varies by imaging centre and by reason.
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If your PET scan stops before it finishes, the technician will come to you, explain what happened, and decide whether the scan can be completed, restarted, or rescheduled. You will be told the next step before you leave. In most cases a repeat can be arranged, and it is worth asking about the cost before you go.
CION does PET-CT in Hyderabad from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in the city, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
What happens after a PET scan stops?
The scan pauses and the technician comes to you
You will hear the machine slow or stop. The technician will speak to you through the intercom or enter the room. Stay still until they tell you it is safe to move.
They assess what happened
The technician checks the images captured so far, reviews the equipment, and asks how you are feeling. This takes a few minutes and is a standard part of the process.
A decision is made on the scan
Depending on what they find, the scan may be completed from where it stopped, restarted from the beginning, or rescheduled for a separate appointment.
Your oncology team is informed
The imaging centre tells your oncologist what happened — what images were captured, what was not, and what the next step is.
You are given a clear plan before you leave
Before you go, ask the coordinator whether another appointment is needed, what preparation to do differently next time, and what to expect about the cost.
Can the images already taken be used if the scan stopped early?
Whether the partial images are usable is a decision the reporting radiologist makes, not the technician on the day. It depends on how far through the scan had progressed and whether the areas most relevant to your treatment planning were covered before it stopped.
Scans that stop early in the sequence usually cannot be reported reliably. Those that stop after most of the body has been covered sometimes yield enough for a partial report, which your oncologist can decide whether to act on or wait for a complete repeat.
Your team will tell you the radiologist's view and whether a full repeat is needed before the next treatment decision. Do not assume the study was wasted — sometimes what was captured is enough to proceed.
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.
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MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
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MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
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Why do PET scans stop before they finish?
| Reason | What this means | What typically happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Blood glucose too high on the day | The tracer competes with glucose; images cannot be reliably interpreted | Scan rescheduled after glucose levels are reviewed and controlled |
| Could not stay still inside the scanner | Movement blurs the images so they cannot be reported accurately | A partial rescan may be attempted, or the full scan is rescheduled |
| Severe claustrophobia or anxiety | The enclosed space of the scanner became intolerable | Scan rescheduled; pre-medication may be arranged for the next visit |
| Equipment fault at the imaging centre | A technical problem with the scanner or software | Scan rescheduled when the equipment is available again |
| Medical event during the scan | Rare — the patient becomes unwell during the procedure | Care takes priority; scan is rescheduled when you are well enough |
Did you know?
Blood glucose level on the day of the scan is one of the most common preventable reasons a PET scan cannot be completed. Preparation guidelines from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging ask patients to fast before the tracer injection so that glucose stays within the range the tracer needs to work reliably.
If your scan is rescheduled for this reason, the preparation instructions for the next visit are the most important thing to follow closely.
Source: Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) — PET Procedure Standards
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 92 more Preparing For and Having Your Scan Safely topics
Scan Day: What Actually Happens
- Can Someone Stay With Me During the Scan?
- Can You Drive Yourself Home After a PET-CT Scan?
- Can You Have Sedation for a PET-CT Scan?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Be Done on the Same Day as Other Tests?
- Contrast in a PET-CT Scan: When It Is Used and Why
- Eating and Drinking After Your PET-CT Scan
- How Long Does a PET-CT Scan Take?
- Is a PET-CT Scan Painful?
- Is a PET-CT Scanner Closed Like an MRI? Claustrophobia Explained
- The Tracer Injection: Does It Hurt?
- What Happens If the Scan Cannot Be Completed?
- What If You Cannot Lie Still or Have Tremors?
- What to Expect Immediately After the Scan
- Why Was My Scan Repeated or Extended on the Day?
- Why You Have to Wait an Hour After the Injection
- Your PET-CT Scan Day: What Happens, Step by Step
Contrast, Cannula & Procedure Safety
- Can You Have a PET-CT If You Are on Blood Thinners?
- Can You Have a PET-CT Through a Port or PICC Line?
- Contrast Allergy and PET-CT: What to Declare
- Contrast Reaction Symptoms: What to Watch For
- Contrast and Kidney Function: The Creatinine Rule
- Infection Risk and Hygiene at a Scan Centre
- Is Contrast Used in a PET-CT Scan?
- Metformin and Contrast: What Is the Rule?
- Side Effects of a PET-CT Scan
- The Cannula: Bruising, Pain and Difficult Veins
- Tracer Leakage at the Injection Site (Extravasation)
- What If You Feel Unwell During the Scan?
Diabetes & Blood Sugar for PET-CT
- A Diabetic Patient's PET-CT Day Plan
- Best Appointment Time for a Diabetic PET Scan
- Can Diabetics Take Their Tablets Before a PET Scan?
- Does Diabetes Change Your SUV Reading?
- Fasting Safely With Diabetes Before a Scan
- Insulin and PET-CT: Timing Rules
- Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Found Before a Scan
- PET-CT Scan With Diabetes: The Complete Preparation Guide
- PET-CT With Steroid-Induced High Sugars
- What Blood Sugar Level Is Needed for a PET-CT Scan?
- What Happens If Your Sugar Is High on the Day?
- What to Eat the Day Before if You Have Diabetes
Preparing for Your Scan
- A Printable PET-CT Preparation Card
- Can I Drink Water Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Can I Have a PET-CT Scan During My Period?
- Can I Take My Regular Medicines Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Can You Reschedule a PET-CT Scan?
- Cold Weather, Shivering and Brown Fat: Why You Are Asked to Stay Warm
- Fasting Before a PET-CT Scan: How Long and Why
- How to Prepare for a PET-CT Scan: The Complete Checklist
- Preparing a Very Elderly or Frail Person for a PET-CT
- Preparing a Wheelchair-Bound or Bedridden Patient
- Preparing for a PSMA, DOTATATE or FAPI PET-CT
- Should I Avoid Exercise Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Smoking, Alcohol and Caffeine Before a PET-CT Scan
- What Happens If You Break the Fast by Mistake?
- What to Carry to Your PET-CT Appointment
- What to Eat the Day Before a PET-CT Scan
- What to Wear to a PET-CT Scan
- Why Your Kidney Function Test Is Needed Before a PET-CT
Radiation Safety & After-Scan Precautions
- Are You Radioactive After a PET-CT Scan?
- Being Around Pregnant Women After a PET-CT Scan
- Can I Hold My Child or Grandchild After a PET-CT Scan?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Cause Cancer?
- Cumulative Radiation From Repeated Scans
- Do You Need Precautions After a PSMA or DOTATATE Scan?
- Do You Need Separate Utensils or a Separate Toilet After a PET-CT?
- How Long Does the Tracer Stay in Your Body?
- How Long Should You Avoid Close Contact After a PET-CT?
- How Many PET-CT Scans Are Safe in a Year?
- How Much Radiation Is in a PET-CT Scan?
- Is PET-CT Radiation Different From Radiotherapy?
- Is the Radiation From a PET-CT Scan Dangerous?
- PET-CT Radiation Compared With CT, X-Ray and Natural Background
- Radiation Safety at Home After Your Scan: A Family Checklist
- Radiation Safety for Staff and Attendants at the Centre
- Simple Steps to Clear the Tracer Faster
- Travelling Home After a PET-CT Scan: Public Transport and Airports
Special Populations
- Breastfeeding and PET-CT: How Long to Pause
- PET-CT Scans for Children: A Parent's Guide
- PET-CT With Kidney Disease or on Dialysis
- PET-CT With a Pacemaker, Stent or Metal Implant
- PET-CT for Claustrophobic Patients
- PET-CT for Patients Who Cannot Lie Flat
- PET-CT for Patients With Anxiety or Panic Disorder
- PET-CT for Patients With Dementia or Confusion
- PET-CT for Patients With Incontinence or a Catheter
- PET-CT for Patients With a Stoma
- PET-CT for Patients on Long-Term Steroids
- PET-CT for Very Elderly or Frail Patients
- PET-CT for Very Heavy Patients: Weight and Bore Limits
- PET-CT for Wheelchair and Bedbound Patients
- PET-CT in Pregnancy: Why It Is Avoided
- Sedation and Fasting for a Child's PET Scan
Your next step
Talk to an oncologist about your scan
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can a partial PET scan still give useful results?
Sometimes, yes. Whether the images captured are usable is a decision the reporting radiologist makes, based on how far through the scan had progressed and whether the areas relevant to your treatment were covered. Scans that stop early in the sequence are rarely reportable. Those that stop after most of the body has been imaged sometimes yield enough for your oncologist to act on. Your team will tell you the radiologist's view and whether a full repeat is needed before planning continues.
How long will we wait for the repeat scan?
This depends on the imaging centre's schedule and is something to ask them directly when the rescheduled appointment is being arranged. CION coordinates PET-CT with partner imaging centres, and your care coordinator can help follow up if the wait is a concern. There is no fixed turnaround, and availability varies by centre and by demand. If treatment planning is time-sensitive, tell your oncologist — they can request that the rescan be prioritised.
Will we be charged for a scan that could not be completed?
The answer depends on the reason the scan stopped and the policy of the imaging centre. If the equipment failed, most centres do not charge for the incomplete study. If the scan stopped because of a preparation issue — high blood glucose, for example — the situation varies. Ask the coordinator before you leave so you know what to expect. If you have insurance, check whether the repeat scan needs a new pre-authorisation before the rescheduled appointment.
What should I do differently to prepare for the repeat scan?
It depends on why the scan stopped. If your blood glucose was too high, your oncologist or the imaging centre will advise on glucose management in the days before the next visit — and strict fasting on the day is essential. If claustrophobia was the problem, ask whether pre-medication can be arranged beforehand. If the scan stopped because of an equipment fault, your preparation is likely the same as last time. When in doubt, ask the coordinator to go through the instructions with you again.
Do I need a new referral or insurance authorisation for the rescheduled scan?
Check with the imaging centre and your insurer before the rescheduled appointment, rather than assuming the original referral still applies. Some insurers treat a repeat scan differently depending on the reason for the first failure. Carrying a copy of the original referral letter to the repeat appointment is always useful. If your oncologist's team referred you, let them know the scan was incomplete — they can reissue or update the referral if needed.