The Insider’s Guide to PET Scans in Chandigarh: How to Get Top-Tier Quality Without the ₹25,000 Price Tag

A step-by-step breakdown for patients: From machine specs and fasting rules to why we charge ₹12,999 when others charge double.

If you are reading this, you likely have a prescription slip in your hand that says “Whole Body FDG PET-CT“

In the Tricity medical landscape, this usually leads to a stressful fork in the road:

1. Go to PGI/GMCH: Save money, but battle long queues and wait weeks for a date.
2. Go to a Big Corporate Hospital: Get it done fast, but pay ₹22,000 to ₹28,000.

At MRI Chandigarh, we have created a third path. We offer the scan for ₹12,999.

But we know that when it comes to cancer, price isn’t your only worry. You are worried about accuracy, safety, and comfort.

Here is a practical, detailed, no-nonsense guide to exactly what happens at our center, why we are not costly/practical, and how to prepare for your scan.

Part 1: Affordable by Design: How We Maintain Quality at Lower Costs

This is the #1 question we get. “If it’s half the price, is it half the quality?”

The answer lies in Business Economics, not Medical Quality.

• Zero “Hospital Tax”: When you go to a large multi-specialty hospital, your bill subsidizes their emergency room, 24/7 cafeteria, laundry services, and high-end lobby. We are a dedicated diagnostic center. We don’t have those overheads.
  
• High Volume: Because our pricing is accessible, we scan more patients. This allows us to negotiate better rates for the radioactive isotopes (FDG) used in the scan. We pass those savings to you.

The Machine Spec Check:
We don’t hide our tech. We use the Siemens Biograph Horizon and GE Discovery IQ.

• Type: 128-Slice PET-CT.
• Why it matters: Many budget centers use older 16-slice machines. A 128-slice machine scans faster (reducing patient anxiety) and offers higher resolution (detecting lesions as small as 2-3mm).

Part 2: The Doctor Behind the Report

A machine produces an image, but a human must interpret it. A misread scan can lead to incorrect chemotherapy or unnecessary surgery.

At MRI Chandigarh, your report is not outsourced. It is managed by:
Dr. KDS Rana

• Senior Consultant, Nuclear Medicine
• Ex-consultant at top corporate hospitals
• 15+ Years of Experience

We are NABL Accredited. This is the highest quality seal in India. An NABL report from us is valid at PGI, Tata Memorial, Max, Fortis, and Apollo.

Part 3: The Practical Patient Checklist (Do’s and Don’ts)

To ensure your scan is accurate and you don’t waste your money, follow these strict guidelines.

1. Fasting is Non-Negotiable

• Rule: You must fast for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.
• Why? PET scans track sugar (glucose) metabolism in the body. If you eat, your blood sugar spikes, and the cancer cells won’t “light up” clearly on the scan.
• Can I drink water? YES. Plain water is fine. No tea, no coffee, no milk, no juice.

2. For Diabetic Patients

• This is tricky. Your blood sugar needs to be below 150 mg/dL ideally.
• If you are diabetic, inform us when booking. We will schedule you for a morning slot and guide you on when to take your insulin/metformin.

3. The “Waiting Room” Phase (The Uptake Time)

• After you arrive, we inject a small amount of radioactive tracer (FDG).
• The Hard Part: You must sit in a special quiet room for about 45–60 minutes.
• No Phone, No Talking: You need to relax. If you are anxious or talking, the tracer goes to your muscles instead of the target area. Bring a book or just rest.

4. The Scan Itself

• The actual time inside the machine is only about 15–20 minutes.
• It is painless. The machine is open-ended (donut-shaped), so it is less claustrophobic than an MRI.

Part 4: Solving the Logistics (We Help You Get Here)

We know that cancer treatment is physically exhausting. We don’t want you struggling with parking or finding a cab.

• Free Pick & Drop: If you live in Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, or Zirakpur (within 15km), we send a car for you. Free of cost.
• Wheelchair Access: Our center (SCO 315-316, Sector 35B) is fully accessible.
• Same-Day Reporting: We know the anxiety of waiting for a result. We process the images immediately. You get the digital report via WhatsApp/Email by the evening, so you can visit your oncologist the very next day.

Summary: Compare Us Before You Book

How to Book an Appointment

We operate on an appointment basis to ensure zero waiting time for patients.

1. Step 1: Click a photo of your doctor’s prescription.
2. Step 2: WhatsApp it to +91 8699-5723-64.
3. Step 3: Our team will check the requirements (Serum Creatinine, Blood Sugar) and give you the next available slot.

Don’t let cost or waiting lists delay your diagnosis. High-quality care is available right here in Sector 35.

Visit us at pet scan for more info.