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Preparation for Exams
To ensure that radiologic examinations are performed safely and accurately, many require specific preparation. If you are scheduled for one of the following studies, please follow the instructions exactly. If you have questions, be sure to call the office where the exam is scheduled.

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time for registration and paperwork completion. Allow an additional 1 hour for each exam, unless otherwise specified.

 

The following exams require patient preparation:
(click the procedure name for detailed instructions)

Computed Tomography (CT Scan, CAT Scan)
Upper GI Series, Small Bowel Series
Barium Enema (BE, Lower GI Series)
Abdominal Ultrasound, Gallbladder Ultrasound
Pelvic Ultrasound, Obstetrical Ultrasound
Nuclear Medicine
PET Scan
DEXA (Bone Density Scan)
Mammogram
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
Oral Cholecystogram (OCG, Gallbladder X-ray)
MRCP


The following exams usually require NO patient preparation (unless the office gives you other instructions):

MRI (other than MRCP)
Other Ultrasound (kidneys, breast, thyroid, scrotum, extremity, aorta)
General X-Rays (chest, spine, bone, sinus, skull)
Arthrogram
Sialogram
CT of the sinus or spine

Computed Tomography (CT Scan, CAT Scan)

  • Nothing to eat or drink (except medicines) 4 hours before exam.
  • For exams of the abdomen or pelvis: You must pick up a bottle of oral contrast and instructions from our office at least one day prior to the exam. Drink one bottle 2 hours prior to your scheduled exam.
  • For CT angiograms, DO NOT drink oral contrast.

Upper GI Series, Small Bowel Series

  • Nothing to eat or drink (except medicines) after midnight the night before the exam.
  • If you had a barium enema the day before, drink an 8-ounce bottle of Citrate of Magnesium following the barium enema at 5:00 p.m.

    Allow 2-3 hours for a small bowel series.

Barium Enema (BE, Lower GI Series)

Careful preparation is crucial for a barium enema. Please follow the directions carefully to ensure that you have a clean colon.

  • On the day before the exam, drink only clear liquids all day, until the exam is complete. Drink at least 32 ounces of liquids. Clear liquids include water, clear broth, soda, coffee, tea, Jell-O, strained fruit juices (no pulp). No milk products.
  • At noon on the day before the exam, drink an 8-oz. bottle of Citrate of Magnesium.
  • At 5:00 PM on the day before the exam, swallow 4 tablespoons of castor oil or 4 Dulcolax tablets. These may be taken with juice.
  • Two hours before bedtime, use 1 Fleet enema.
  • Do not eat or drink (except medicines) after midnight before your exam.

Abdominal Ultrasound, Gallbladder Ultrasound

  • On the day before the exam, do not eat fatty foods or dairy products.
  • Do not eat or drink (except medicines) after midnight.
  • Do not use an enema.

Pelvic Ultrasound, Obstetrical Ultrasound

  • Empty bladder 90 minutes prior to exam time.
  • Drink 1 quart (32 ounces) of liquid within 15 minutes of emptying bladder. Then do not empty bladder until exam is completed.

Nuclear Medicine

  • Call for an appointment and instructions. Referring physicians are requested to provide history and other pertinent background information on their patients.

    Time required for Nuclear Medicine exams will vary.

PET Scan

  • Nothing to eat or drink (except medicines) 4 hours before exam.

    Allow 2 hours for a PET scan.

DEXA (Bone Density Scan)

  • Wear loose clothing without zippers, buttons, or buckles.

Mammogram

  • On the day of the exam, do not use any perfume, powder, or deodorant on breasts or underarms.
  • Wear 2-piece clothing if possible.

    Bring previous mammograms or arrange to have them sent to our office.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

  • On the day of the exam, do not use any perfume, powder, or deodorant on breasts or underarms.
  • Wear 2-piece clothing if possible.

    Bring previous mammograms or arrange to have them sent to our office.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

  • Schedule this exam to be performed 6-10 days after the onset of the menstrual cycle.

Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)

  • Nothing to eat or drink (except medicines) 4 hours before exam.

Oral Cholecystogram (OCG, Gallbladder X-ray)

  • Obtain tablets from the site where the exam is scheduled at least one day prior to the exam. You will be given instructions with the tablets.

MRCP

  • Nothing to eat or drink (except medicines) 4 hours before exam.