CT/CTA
Abdomen or Abdomen & Pelvis CT
Nothing to eat or drink for 3 hours before the scan other than the oral contrast that you will be given at our office under our supervision.
Chest/Thorax CT
Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours before the scan
CTA
Nothing to each or drink 2 hours before the scan
MRI/MRA
Wear comfortable clothing with no metal.
Patients with pacemakers and aneurysm clips, depending on the location in the body, are prohibited from having a MRI scan.
If there is a possibility that you may have metal or a foreign body in your eye(s) you may be prohibited from having a scan. This may occur if you are or have been a welder or work with sheet metal. A screening x-ray of your eyes may be performed prior to your scan, if necessary.
If the patient takes a mild sedative to assist in completing the scan, they must have someone with them when they arrive and available to drive them home after the procedure is completed.
Ultrasound
Abdomen (liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen)
Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test. (Children under 12 may have a normal diet unless the gallbladder is to be evaluated.)
Pelvis
It is necessary to have a full bladder for this test. Beginning about 2 hours before the test you may need to drink 24-32 ounces of water in order to have a full bladder. No carbonated drinks. Do not empty your bladder until after the test.
Abdomen and Pelvis
If you are having both tests at the same visit, you may drink water only but no food per Abdomen exam instructions above.
Renal (Kidney) US
Nothing to eat or drink except water for 4 hours before the test.
Renal (Kidney) Doppler US
Nothing to eat or drink except water for 8 hours before the test.
Radiography and Fluoroscopy
Barium Enema
- 24 hours prior to test take a laxative obtained from your local pharmacy.
- Consume only clear liquids during the 24 hours prior to the test.
- Perform a Fleets enema the morning of the test.
Arthrography
Anticoagulants (blood thinners) other than aspirin should not be taken for the period of time defined in the Diagnostic Imaging Anticoagulant Prep List. The number of days and/or hours a patient should be off the medication will vary based on the particular anticoagulant. Consult with your referring provider or call our office for specific instructions before discontinuing any anticoagulant or prescribed medication.
Hip Injection
Anticoagulants (blood thinners) other than aspirin should not be taken for the period of time defined in the Diagnostic Imaging Anticoagulant Prep List. The number of days and/or hours a patient should be off the medication will vary based on the particular anticoagulant. Consult with your referring provider or call our office for specific instructions before discontinuing any anticoagulant or prescribed medication.
IVP
- Clear liquid supper the night before the test and remain on clear liquids (ex., bouillon, jello or broth).
- Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before the test.
- Perform a Fleets enema the morning of the test.
- Children under 12 years old need to have nothing to eat or drink for only 2 hours before the test. The above prep is unnecessary.
Myelography – Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar
- No aspirin should be taken for 7 days before the procedure.
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners) other than aspirin should not be taken for the period of time defined in the Diagnostic Imaging Anticoagulant Prep List. The number of days and/or hours a patient should be off the medication will vary based on the particular anticoagulant. Consult with your referring provider or call our office for specific instructions before discontinuing any anticoagulant or prescribed medication.
- No tranquilizers should be taken for 48 hours before the procedure.
- Drink an increased amount of fluids for 24 hours before the procedure.
- No solid foods should be consumed for 4 hours before the procedure.
- Patient should have someone available to drive after the procedure is completed.
Upper GI
- Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test.
- Children under 2 years old should have nothing to eat or drink for only 4 hours before the test.
Mammography
- Do not use deodorant, powders, ointment or perfume on your breasts or underarm area before the test.
- Bring previous mammography films or arrange for them to be sent to us if prior studies were not performed at our facility.
DEXA Preparation and Special Instructions
- There is no special preparation. You may eat normally before your test.
- If you wear clothes without buttons, zippers or other metals, you will not need to take them off. Loose-fitting clothes such as sweatpants, and sweatshirts are recommended.
- If you have had any kind of exam within the last week that required you to take barium, you should delay having this test.
- You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire prior to your bone density test that will be helpful in evaluating test results.
Jump to exam:
Convenient Care and a Personal Touch
Ask your provider to refer you to Diagnostic Imaging.