During the scan
Panic Attack — During Your PET-CT Scan
If you feel a panic attack coming on during a PET-CT scan, you can stop it. You have a buzzer. Press it and the team will come straight away.
Medically reviewed by Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Gold Medal) · DNB · DM (Medical Oncology, Gold Medal) · Last reviewed September 2026
- You can stop at any moment — The call buzzer is there for exactly this. There is no wrong time to press it.
- The team is watching — A radiographer is outside the room, monitoring you throughout the entire scan.
- Stopping is not failing — Most scans can be paused and restarted once you feel ready.
- Tell them before you go in — Saying you feel anxious changes how the team prepares you for the scan.
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You can stop a PET-CT scan at any moment by pressing the call buzzer the radiographer gives you before you enter the scanner. The team is outside watching and will come in immediately. Most panic attacks during scans are manageable, and the scan can often be restarted once you feel ready.
If a symptom below applies to you, do not wait for a callback. Call 1800-202-8726 or go to your nearest emergency department.
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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(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)
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Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
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Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
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Dr. Mohammed Imran
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Not sure whether this counts as an emergency?
Call the helpline. It is always better to check than to wait.
Is this a panic attack or something the team needs to assess now?
| Feature | Panic attack | Tell the team now |
|---|---|---|
| Chest tightness | Comes on with fear, eases as you calm down | Persists after you leave the scanner and feel calm |
| Breathing | Fast and shallow — improves with slow breaths | Does not improve when the scan pauses |
| Heart racing | Slows as the fear fades | Stays fast long after you feel calmer |
| Feeling faint | Comes and passes quickly | You actually faint or cannot sit up |
| Typically starts | When the gantry is close or the room feels enclosed | Can begin at any point with no obvious trigger |
How do you get through the scan — and what to do if you cannot?
- Tell the radiographer before the scan begins that you feel anxious. They can walk you through every step before you go in.
- Ask to hold the call buzzer before you get on the table. Knowing it is in your hand helps.
- Keep your eyes closed once you are inside. Looking at the gantry close to your face makes the feeling worse.
- Try slow breaths: in through your nose, out through your mouth. Four counts in, four counts out.
- Press the buzzer at any point. There is no wrong time. The team will not judge you for stopping.
- When you come out, sit still for a minute before standing. Panic can make you lightheaded.
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.
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Emergencies & Red Flags
- Accidental Radiation Exposure: Pregnancy Discovered After a Scan
- Breathing Difficulty During or After a Scan
- Delayed Contrast Reaction Hours After the Scan
- Emergencies Around a PET-CT Scan: What Needs Immediate Care
- Fainting or Collapse at the Scan Centre
- Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycaemia) During Fasting
- Panic Attack During the Scan
- Severe Contrast Reaction: Recognising It
- What to Do If the Cannula Site Swells or Hurts After
- When to Call the Centre After Your Scan
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I stop the scan in the middle?
Yes, at any point. The call buzzer is with you throughout the scan, and pressing it brings the radiographer in immediately. You do not need a reason beyond feeling that you cannot continue. The team expects this to happen occasionally and will not be frustrated. Stopping is always the right call if you are struggling.
Will stopping the scan ruin the results?
Not necessarily. Whether the scan can be restarted depends on how far along the scan was and how long the pause lasts. A short break is often all that is needed. In some cases the scan may need to be rescheduled. The tracer injected before the scan does gradually become less effective over time, so a long delay can affect what images are usable — but that is a decision for the team to make, not something to push through on your own.
Can I have a sedative or anxiety medicine before the scan?
This is worth raising with your oncologist before the day of the scan, not at the scanner itself. Some patients are prescribed a mild anxiolytic beforehand when there is a known history of claustrophobia or severe anxiety. It is not routinely offered, but it is a legitimate option. If you have had a panic attack during a scan before, mention it at your next clinic appointment so the team can plan ahead.
What if I have had a panic attack during a scan before?
Tell the radiography team before the scan begins — not just reception, but the person setting you up. A history of panic during scans changes how they prepare you. They can describe exactly what the machine will do before you go in, let you sit at the edge of the gantry first, and in some centres arrange for someone to stay in the room with you. Mentioning it in advance is what makes the difference.