Before your appointment
No special preparation is needed. Eat, drink and take your regular medications as normal. Empty your bladder before the scan, for comfort.
You may be contacted directly by the scanning centre ahead of your appointment to confirm key details and complete a pre-appointment consultation, if required.
On the day: what to bring
- Photo ID (driving licence or passport)
- Previous scan results (if you’ve had lung imaging before)
- List of medications you’re taking
On the day: what to wear
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal fastenings. Avoid underwired bras, metal zips and buttons. A t-shirt or vest top is ideal. You may be given a gown to change into.
During your appointment
Arrival and registration (5–10 minutes)
Arrive 10–15 minutes early. You’ll verify your identity, confirm the details of your health questionnaire and sign a consent form. A radiographer will take you to the scanning room.
Preparation (2–3 minutes)
Remove all jewellery, watches, glasses and anything metal, including hearing aids. You’ll lie flat on your back on the motorised bed with your arms positioned as guided by the radiographer.
The scan (under 2 minutes)
The bed moves you slowly into the scanner – a large doughnut-shaped ring, open at both ends. You’ll be asked to hold your breath for 5–10 seconds while the scanner takes images. The actual scanning takes less than one minute. It’s completely painless. Total time in the scanning room is typically 10–15 minutes.
After your appointment
No recovery time is needed. You can leave immediately and resume all normal activities like driving, working and exercising, with no side-effects.
Getting your results
Your scan images will be reviewed by a consultant radiologist. Results will be communicated within 3–7 working days by telephone, with an opportunity to discuss findings and ask questions. You’ll also receive a written report.
Results will be uploaded to your Perci Health record.
Understanding your results
Normal scan: No abnormalities found. No immediate action needed.
Benign nodules: Very common, especially in smokers/ex-smokers. These are harmless and no action is needed.
Indeterminate nodules: Nodules have been found that need monitoring. You’ll be recommended for a follow-up scan in 3–12 months. Most nodules turn out to be benign.
Suspicious finding: Requires prompt investigation. You’ll be offered a referral to a private specialist or you can speak to your GP to arrange an NHS specialist referral.
For indeterminate or abnormal results, you’ll be able to book an appointment with one of our specialist nurses to discuss the results, recommended next steps and arrange ongoing support.
Need help?
If you have any questions about your appointment or results, please reach out to our Customer Success team via hello@percihealth.com or on 020 3728 8848.