Preparing for Diagnostic Imaging Exams

• 5:30 p.m. - drink one 8 oz glass of water with clear liquid evening meal
• 6:00 p.m. - drink one 10 oz bottle of Magnesium Citrate
• 7:00 p.m. - drink one 8 oz glass of water
• 8:00 p.m. - take 3 Dulcolax tablets with 8 oz of water
• 9:00 p.m. - drink one 8 oz glass of water
• 12:00 (midnight) - nothing by mouth after midnight until test is completed
• 6:00 a.m. - insert one Dulcolax suppository

This exam takes about one hour. After the test, drink plenty of water along with the food you normally eat.

• Force fluids before the appointment.
• The scan is 2 hours after injection.

• Please refrain from taking calcium or osteoporosis medications for 48 hours prior to the exam.
• Other studies requiring barium or isotope injections may not be done on the same day.
• Please wear clothing with an elastic waistband
• Do not wear jeans, belts, or other metallic decoration at the waist

• You may have a light meal 4 hours prior to your appointment, then nothing by mouth
• Take medications as usual, with the exception of blood thinners. Blood thinning medications should be stopped 5 days prior to any biopsy procedure.
• For abdomen CT, please pick up liquid oral contrast before your appointment day or come ONE hour before you appointment time to take the contrast material
• Patient must not be allergic to shellfish or iodine if IV contrast is used

• Please pick up liquid oral contrast material a day or so before your appointment, or come to the department TWO hours before your appointment time to take the contrast material
• You may have a light meal 4 hours prior to your appointment, then nothing by mouth
• Take medications as usual
• Patient must not be allergic to shellfish or iodine if IV contrast is used
• This exam takes about a half hour

• Have a light supper the day before the exam
• Nothing to eat or drink, including water, after midnight before the exam
• Esophagram and Upper GI studies usually take less than an hour.
• Small Bowel exam may take several hours.

• Stop eating 4 hours before the exam

• 5:00 p.m. - have a light evening meal
• 6:00 p.m. - take 4 oz Milk of Magnesia
• Nothing by mouth after midnight
• Patient must not be allergic to shellfish or iodine if IV contrast is used

• Stay off Synthroid medications for 14 days
• No X-Ray iodine contrast and desiccated thyroid for 6 weeks before the exam
• This is a 2-day test

• Do not use powder, deodorant, cream, or perfume on your underarms or breasts (they may interfere with the imaging)
• Please bring prior mammograms or information to send for them
• Wear a 2-piece outfit

• Please pick up liquid contrast a day or so before your appointment.
• Take one bottle of Gastromark 2 hours before the exam
• Take ½ bottle of Gastromark 30 minutes before the exam
• Patient must not be allergic to iron

• Requires a full bladder
• Drink 16 oz of liquid 30 minutes before the exam
• Do not urinate until after the exam
• Children may not accompany you into the exam room. If you must bring children with you, please bring another adult along to stay with them in the waiting area.
• This exam usually takes one hour

• Take a cleansing enema 1-2 hours before the exam
• Empty your bladder just before the exam.
• This exam takes about 30 minutes

• Drink 12 oz of water 1 hour before the exam
• Please do not empty your bladder within 30 minutes of the exam

• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the exam

• Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior to the procedure.

• Drink 16 oz liquid 30 minutes prior to the exam
• Do not urinate until after the exam

No preparation is needed for the following exams:

Thyroid, testicular, soft tissue, spleen, baby hips, pelvic (18 or older) and venous or arterial blood vessels.