What duration of fasting is typically required before the 18F-FMISO procedure?

Fasting for a duration of 4-6 hours is commonly required before the administration of 18F-FMISO (fluoromisonidazole), a radiopharmaceutical used in PET imaging, particularly for tumor hypoxia studies. This fasting period helps to minimize the potential impact of recent food intake on the distribution and clearance of the tracer in the body. By ensuring that the patient has been fasting for the appropriate time, it is possible to achieve more consistent and reliable imaging results, as the presence of food can introduce variabilities in the biodistribution of the radiotracer. This fasting requirement is aligned with general protocols for many PET imaging procedures, where a brief fasting period is beneficial for optimal imaging outcomes.