Preparing for your Examination
MRI
NON-IONIC IV Contrast Enhanced CT Studies
Cardiac Calcium Scoring
Coronary CT Angiography
Ultrasound - Abdominal
Ultrasound - Pelvic
Dexa Scan - Bone Density
Nuclear Thyroid Uptake and Scan
Nuclear Hepatobiliary Study
Thyroid Whole Body Scan
MIBG
GI Series With or Without Small Bowel
Air Contrast or Ssingle Contrast Barium Enema
Hysterosalpingogram
PET/CT Scan
MRI
You cannot undergo MRI if you have:
- a cardiac pacemaker or old pacemaker wires
- a brain aneurysm clip
- a middle ear prosthesis
- neurostimulators
- surgery within one week of your scheduled appointment
- a recent vascular stent placement
Please advise the technologist if you have any prosthetic device (ie., hip or knee replacement, etc.).
All patients must remove all jewelry, hair pins, and other metallic accessories for the procedure.
Patients should not wear any eye makeup.
Headphones are available during the procedure. Feel free to bring a CD.
NON-IONIC IV Contrast Enhanced CT Studies:
Do not eat solid food 3 hours prior to the exam. Clear fluids in moderation are acceptable.
It is important to advise the technologist, prior to the exam, if you have a history of iodine allergy or anaphylactic reaction.
If you are scheduled for abdominal and/or pelvic CT you must arrive no later than 60 minutes prior to scheduled appointment time in order to drink oral contrast agent.
Cardiac Calcium Scoring
No nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, or other stimulants 6 hours prior to the exam. Study cannot be preformed if a pacemaker is in place.
- arrive 30 minutes prior to exam
- abstain from eating for 3 hours prior to exam
- do not consume caffeine the morning of your exam
- patients may return to normal activity immediately after the exam
Ultrasound - Abdominal
Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours prior to procedure.
Ultrasound - Pelvic
Your bladder must be full for the exam.
1. Two hours before the appointment, empty bladder. Do not urinate again until the exam is completed.
2. One hour before the appointment, drink 32oz. of water (4 glasses).
3. See the receptionist if you feel you must urinate prior to exam.
Dexa Scan - Bone Density
You may eat normally on the day of the test. If you are taking Calcium supplements avoid taking these for 24 hours prior to the exam. Wear loose comfortable clothing without buttons, zippers or snaps if possible. Inform your Doctor and the Technologist if you have received Barium or any other contrast media or radio isotope during a CT or other scan in the last 10-14 days. If so you may have to reschedule for a later time. As always inform your Doctor and the Technologist if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
You will be asked to fill out a brief form (Bone Densitometry Screening Form) prior to having your procedure done. This form may be filled out in advance of your arrival by clicking here and printing the form.
Nuclear Thyroid Uptake and Scan
If you are pregnant or actively nursing, you should NOT have a nuclear exam. Please consult your physician.
1. No breakfast on first day.
2. No iodine contrast studies within 6 weeks of test.
3. No thyroid medication for 4-7 days prior to day 1 of exam.
Nuclear Hepatobiliary Study
Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to the procedure.
Thyroid Whole Body Scan
Refer to printed instructions provided by your doctor.
MIBG
Your doctor will give you a prescription for SSKI or Lugol's solution to begin the day prior to your appointment in Nuclear Medicine.
GI Series With or Without Small Bowel
Nothing to eat, drink, or chew 12 hours prior to the procedure. Critical medications may be taken with minimum amounts of water.
If you are scheduled for esophagram ONLY, there is no specific preparation.
Air Contrast or Single Contrast Barium Enema
One day before the procedure, follow directions for the 24-hour preparation in the Fleet Barium Enema Kit #1.
Hysterosalpingogram
Call for an appointment on the first day of your menstruation.
When you arrive to the department, you will be greeted by the front desk staff, and asked to fill out an extensive questionnaire. (This form may be filled out in advance of your arrival by clicking here and printing the form.)
General Guidelines for ALL PET/CT Scan Patients:
- Do not do any strenuous exercise or strenuous work the day before or the day of your test.
- Please inform the technologist if you have any of the following conditions: Asthma, Diabetes, Multiple Myeloma, Pheocromocytoma, or if you are on dialysis.
- Please inform the technologist if you have any Iodine or shellfish allergies, or if you have had an allergic reaction to a CAT scan in the past, or if you are taking corticosteroids or glucophage.
- Wear comfortable clothing; you will need to change for this test.
- Plan on being with us for 2 hours.
- Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
- Most people do not have a problem with claustrophobia. However, if you are claustrophobic you may schedule a time to come and see the equipment and how it moves. You may ask your physician to prescribe a single dose of a relaxant to take the day of your PET/CT exam. In such cases, arrangements should be made to have someone provide the patient with transportation after the exam.
Dietary Restrictions for ALL PET/CT Scan Patients:
- Do not eat or drink (except water) 6 hours before your test. If your test is scheduled in the afternoon you may have a low-carbohydrate breakfast.
- Have a low-carbohydrate dinner the night before your test.
- You should drink at least two 16-ounce glasses of water the day before your test and one before coming in for your test.
- NO caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine the day before or the day of your test
- Take your usual medications the day of your test.
Dietary Restrictions for DIABETIC PET/CT Scan Patients:
(YOUR TEST WILL BE SCHEDULED IN THE AFTERNOON TO ALLOW YOU TO HAVE A LOW CARBOHYDRATE BREAKFAST)
- Have a low-carbohydrate dinner the night before your test.
- Have a low-carbohydrate breakfast the day of your test, then nothing to eat or drink (except water) 6 hours before your test.
- Take your oral medication or insulin early in the morning the day of your test.
Examples of Low Carbohydrate Foods You May Eat:
- All meats, fish, eggs, cheese and tofu
- Non-starchy vegetables like: green beans, broccoli, spinach, zucchini and lettuce
- Diet sodas
- Margarine, butter and oils
- Any foods containing 5 grams or less of carbohydrate per serving.
Examples of High Carbohydrate Foods NOT to Eat:
- Peas, corn, rice, potato and beans
- Milk and nondairy milk drinks
- Fruit, fruit juices and sodas
- All cereals, grains, pastas and breads
- Any food containing more than 5 grams of carbohydrate per serving
