Anxiety and imaging
PET-CT When You Have — Anxiety or Panic Disorder
Having anxiety or a history of panic attacks does not usually make a PET-CT scan impossible. Most people with anxiety complete their scan. Telling your team beforehand — not on the day — is the single most important step you can take.
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 point — The scan is not sealed. You can ask staff to pause or stop the moment you need to.
- The scanner is open at both ends — A PET-CT is less enclosed than a tunnel MRI. Part of your body is always outside the machine.
- Support can be arranged in advance — Tell your referring doctor and the imaging centre before scan day — not when you arrive.
- Pregnancy is a contraindication — If you are pregnant or may be pregnant, tell your referring doctor before any scan is booked.
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Anxiety or panic disorder does not usually prevent a PET-CT scan. The scanner is open at both ends and quieter than an MRI. You can ask staff to stop the scan at any point. Tell your referring doctor and the imaging centre before scan day so support can be arranged in advance — do not wait until the day itself.
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.
Can you stop the scan if you feel panicked?
Yes — you can ask staff to stop at any point, and they will. The table slides out of the scanner when you ask. A staff member watches from outside the room throughout, and there is an intercom so you can speak to them at any moment during the scan.
A PET-CT scanner is open at both ends. When your lower body is being scanned, your head is outside the machine entirely. When your head and chest are being scanned, your feet and legs are outside. This is different from a tunnel MRI, where most of your body is enclosed for the full duration.
If you have had panic attacks in enclosed spaces before, tell your referring doctor before your scan appointment is confirmed. Support options — including whether a calming medicine before the scan is appropriate for you — can only be arranged in advance, not on the day you arrive.
What should you tell your team before scan day?
- You have anxiety or a diagnosed panic disorderTell your referring doctor and the imaging centre when the scan is first discussed — not on the day.
- You have had a panic attack in an enclosed space beforeThis tells the team your experience goes beyond general nervousness and changes what they prepare.
- All medicines you are currently takingInclude prescribed medicines, over-the-counter tablets, and any herbal or Ayurvedic preparations.
- You are pregnant or think you may bePregnancy is a contraindication to PET-CT. Tell your doctor before any scan is booked.
- You want a family member or carer presentAsk when you book — not on the day — so the centre can confirm what is possible in advance.
- You would like to speak to someone before scan dayMany centres can arrange a brief call or walkthrough so the process is not unfamiliar when you arrive.
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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Is PET-CT more or less enclosed than an MRI?
| Feature | PET-CT | MRI |
|---|---|---|
| Scanner opening | Wide bore, open at both ends | A full tunnel — most of your body is inside throughout |
| Noise level | Quiet — a low hum | Loud knocking and banging — earplugs are usually given |
| Head inside the scanner | Only when scanning the head, neck or chest | For most body scans, yes |
| Part of body always outside | Yes — either your head or your feet | No — typically your whole body passes through |
| Intercom to staff | Yes — throughout | Yes — throughout |
| Sedation option if needed | Discuss with your referring doctor before scan day | Discuss with your referring doctor before scan day |
More questions about anxiety and PET-CT
What support is available on the day of the scan?
Staff at the imaging centre are trained to work with anxious patients. They can talk you through each step before you enter the scanner, let you practise lying on the table, and adjust the pace if you need a moment. The intercom is open throughout, and if you need to stop, you can. Some centres can also reduce the number of people in the room and allow you to keep the lights lower. Ask what is available when you book — not on the day itself — so it is already in place when you arrive.
Can a family member or carer stay in the room with me?
This depends on the imaging centre and the specific scan being done. In some situations a family member can remain in the room; in others they wait nearby and are with you as soon as you come out. Radiation precautions apply because of the radiotracer used in PET-CT, and those precautions shape what is possible. Ask when you book — centres that can accommodate a carer in the room will tell you, and knowing the answer before scan day removes one source of uncertainty.
Can I take anxiety medication before the scan?
Some medicines taken before a PET-CT can affect the scan results, so this decision must go through your referring doctor or the nuclear medicine team — not a general practitioner who is not part of your oncology care. Do not take any new medicine on scan day without checking first, including one prescribed previously for anxiety. If medication is appropriate for you, your doctor will advise on timing so it helps you through the scan without interfering with the imaging.
What if I cannot complete the scan?
This does happen, and it does not mean the scan cannot take place at all. If you cannot continue on the day, your team will discuss the options — including rescheduling with additional support already in place, or whether the images obtained so far provide enough information for the next clinical decision. Tell the staff as soon as you are struggling rather than trying to manage it silently. The earlier they know, the more they can do to help.
Does being anxious affect the PET-CT result?
Significant physical tension during the scan can increase glucose uptake in certain muscles, which shows on the image. This is something the nuclear medicine team accounts for when reading your scan, and it is not a reason to avoid the scan. It is, however, another reason to tell your team about your anxiety beforehand — they can note it when interpreting the images. Lying as still as you are able and breathing calmly when you can also helps image quality.
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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Your next step
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a PET-CT if I have severe panic disorder?
In most cases, yes — but severe panic disorder changes the preparation rather than the answer. Your referring doctor needs to know before the scan is confirmed so that the right support can be arranged. This may include speaking to the imaging centre in advance, ensuring a carer can be present, or discussing whether a calming medicine before the scan is suitable for you. Whether the scan is safe and feasible for your specific situation is a decision for your referring doctor and the imaging centre — not something to decide alone.
I had a very difficult MRI. Will PET-CT feel the same?
A PET-CT is meaningfully less enclosed than a tunnel MRI. The bore is wider, the scanner is open at both ends so part of your body is always outside the machine, and it is much quieter — there is no loud banging. Many people who found a tunnel MRI distressing manage a PET-CT without difficulty. That said, tell your team about your MRI experience when you book so they know to take extra care in explaining and pacing the scan, rather than assuming it will be straightforward for you.
What if I start panicking after the radiotracer injection?
The radiotracer is given by a small injection before you enter the scanner, and there is usually a waiting period before imaging begins. If you feel very distressed at any point — before or during the scan — tell the staff immediately. They can pause, let you rest, and adjust the plan. Because the radiotracer is already in your system, it is in everyone's interest to help you complete the scan, and staff are trained to support patients through exactly this. You will not be rushed.
Will sedation make the PET-CT less accurate?
Some sedating medicines can affect how glucose distributes in the body, which is what a PET-CT measures. This is why any decision about pre-scan medication must come from your referring doctor or the nuclear medicine team — they know which medicines interact with the scan and can advise on timing, or recommend an option that does not interfere. Never take a sedative on the day of a PET-CT without checking first, even if it was prescribed for you previously.
I am pregnant. Can I have a PET-CT?
Pregnancy is a contraindication to PET-CT because the scan involves ionising radiation and a radiotracer. If you are pregnant or think you may be, tell your referring doctor before any scan is booked. Your oncology team will assess whether the clinical urgency of the information the scan would provide outweighs the risk, and may discuss alternative imaging options. This decision belongs with your doctor — do not delay telling them because you are worried about what it means.
What should I ask when I book the appointment?
Ask three things: whether a family member or carer can be present during the scan; whether you can speak to someone at the centre before scan day to understand what will happen; and whether any additional support for anxiety is available. Also ask how long the full appointment takes from arrival to leaving, not just the scan itself. Knowing what to expect at every step reduces the unknowns that feed anticipatory anxiety. Write the answers down — that conversation is far easier before scan day than on it.