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Exam Preparation
Arthrograms with Guidance of MR or CT
Prior to scheduling this exam you will need to stop taking any blood thinners such as Coumadin, Warfarin, or Heparin, including anti-inflammatory meds, aspirin, and baby aspirin for 5-7 days prior to the exam. If you have any specific questions or concerns, feel free to direct them to your technologist or nurse.
Esophagram / GI / Small Bowel
Nothing to eat or drink from midnight the evening before the exam. Please note: If you are scheduled for a small bowel series, please plan to be on site at least four hours.
Barium Enema with or without Air
Purchase separately: *10 oz. Citrate of
Magnesium *3 Ducolax tablets *3 Ducolax suppositories at you local
pharmacy.
Noon: - Liquid Lunch - Clear soup / Clear liquids
4pm - Drink the entire contents of the Citrate of Magnesium
5pm - Drink 8 oz of clear fluid
6pm - Liquid dinner - same as lunch
7pm - Take 3 Dulcolax tablets with 8oz of water
8pm - 8 oz of clear fluid
9pm - 8 oz of clear fluid
10pm - Insert 1 Dulcolax suppository into the rectum
**NOTHING BY MOUTH AFTER 10:00 P.M**
Certain medications may be taken with a small amount of water the morning of the exam. Morning of Procedure - Second suppository should be placed into the rectum. Third may be necessary if the evacuation is not clear.
Please Note: Clear liquids MUST NOT BE red or orange coloring
Mammography
For all mammography procedures, please do not wear deodorant on or about the breast area.
If your prior mammogram was not performed at DRA Imaging or Vassar Brothers Medical Center, please bring the films with you at time of service so they may be compared to the current study.
Image Guided Biopsy
For all image guided biopsies, you will be contacted by the surgical nurse to review current clinical history, medications and preparations for the exam.
Please note: If you are on any blood thinners, including anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin or baby aspirin, these medications must be stopped 5-7 days prior to the exam. Blood work may be required 72 hours prior to biopsy
MRI Non Contrast Exams
No preparation necessary. There are several contraindications. Please review the MRI section for details.
MRI Contrast Exams
Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior to the exam. There are several contraindications. Please review the MRI section for details.
MRI Prostate Exam
Nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to the exam. You will be required to take a Fleets Enema 1 to 2 hours prior to the procedure. No sexual intercourse three days prior to the procedure. If a biopsy has been performed of the prostate it is suggested that an MRI prostate not be scheduled any earlier than 5 to 6 weeks post biopsy
MRI exams with Sedation:
You must have a driver for transportation and refrain from all pain/sedative medication 6 hours prior to the exam.
Myelogram:
72 hours prior to exam you must obtain the following blood work; PT, PTT and platelets. You must have a driver for transportation. Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to the exam.
IVP:
Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to the exam.
VCUG:
No preparation.
CAT Scan with Contrast
Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior. You may be asked to arrive 1 hour prior to your exam to drink oral contrast. If you are taking Glucophase, Glucovance, or Metformin, you must contact a DRA Radiology Nurse prior to scheduled exam. Please plan to be on site for 2 to 3 hours.
CT Virtual Colonoscopy:
Patient should pick up Tagitol & 60cc of Gastrografin at DRA Imaging 2
days prior to the exam. You will need to receive a prescription from
your physician for either Nulytely or GoLYTELY. This can be filled at
your local pharmacy.
At 8 am - Begin preparation at
8am the day prior to the exam.
Please have a clear liquid breakfast with one bottle of Tagitol. Mix
Nulytely or GoLYTELY and put it in refrigerator for later.
At noon - You
may have a clear liquid lunch and begin to drink the Nulytely or
GoLYTELY every 15 minutes until it is gone. (Usually takes about 4-5
hours)
At 5pm - drink one half of a bottle of Tagitol in 4 ounces of water with a clear
liquid dinner.
At 8pm - take 2 (Dulcolax) tabs
At Bedtime - Drink 60cc
Gastrografin in 8 ounces of Sprite.
You may not have any food or drink after midnight the evening before the exam.
Ultrasound Abdomen / Abdomen Limited / RUQ:
Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours prior to the exam.
Ultrasound Renal / Bladder / Obstetrical / Pelvis:
32 ounces of water to be finished 1 hour prior to the exam. DO NOT URINATE!Ultrasound Biophysical Profile:
Patient should eat a high protein meal 1 hour prior to exam. (EG: Peanut butter sandwich)
Nuclear Renal:
Drink 4 to 5 cups of fluid prior to arrival.
Nuclear Renal(Captopril):
You must be off ACE Inhibitors for 48 hours, drink 4 to 5 cups of fluid.
Nuclear Hepatobiliary / Gastric Emptying / Meckel's Diverticulum:
Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to the exam.
Nuclear Thyroid:
No shellfish or multivitamins 2 weeks prior to exam and no thyroid medication or examinations with contrast 6 weeks prior to exam.
PET/CT Preparation
Do not eat anything 6 hours prior to arrival. You should drink extra water prior to the exam. It is important that you drink nothing else but water. It is recommended that you follow a high protein low carbohydrate diet for 24 hours.
Strenuous exercise should be discontinued for 24 hours before the appointment time.
Take any medications unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
Wear loose, comfortable clothes.
Please call DRA IMAGING P.C. if you are claustrophobic. Ask for a PET technologist.
If you are on Insulin, you should eat and take Insulin 4 hours prior to the appointment time. Diabetics who take oral medications should wait until the exam is complete to take them.
It is safe for the patient to drive to and from the appointment. The appointment will last approximately 2 hours.
Pregnancy Policy:
All patients of childbearing age (10 - 54) will be required to sign that there is No Chance of Pregnancy prior to an imaging exam being performed (Exception: - Ultrasound). If there is a chance of pregnancy, STAT blood work will be ordered prior to the procedure being performed to establish that there is no chance of pregnancy.
In the event, you are pregnant and the exam is deemed necessary by your physician, you will be shielded and monitored with a radiation badge.