Preparing for Diagnostic Imaging Exams

The links below will take you to detailed instructions for preparing for your diagnostic exam.

Please follow these instructions carefully. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the need to reschedule your exam.

Prep procedures are different for children. Please call the Imaging Department at 903-408-5010 for instructions.

Please call us at 903-408-5010 if you are unable to keep your appointment or have questions about this information.

• Barium Enema
• Bone Scan
• Bone Densitometry (DEXA)
• CT Biopsy/CT Chest (including PE protocol)/CT Abdomen/CT Angio
• CT Pelvis
• Esophagram/Upper GI/Small Bowel Study
• Hepatobiliary Imaging/Gastric Emptying Scan
• I123 Thyroid Uptake and Scan
• Intravenous Pyelogram
• Mammogram
• MR Cholangiogram (MRCP)
• OB Ultrasound
• Prostate Ultrasound
• Renal, Urinary Bladder Ultrasound
• Ultrasound Abdomen, Aorta, Liver, Pancreas or Gallbladder
• Out-Patient Check-In Form print and complete this form, take it with you to your Diagnostic Imaging appointment   (this is a 405K printable Acrobat file)
  

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Barium Enema

• 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.

Bone Scan

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

Bone Densitometry (DEXA)

• 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

CT Biopsy/CT Chest (including PE protocol)/CT Abdomen/CT Angio

• You may have a light meal 4 hours prior to your appointment, then nothing by mouth
• Take medications as usual
• For CT Abdomen, 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

CT Pelvis

• 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

Esophagram/Upper GI/Small Bowel Study

• 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.

Hepatobiliary Imaging/Gastric Emptying Scan

• Stop eating 4 hours before the exam

I123 Thyroid Uptake and Scan

• 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

Intravenous Pyelogram

• 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

Mammogram

• 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

MR Cholangiogram (MRCP)

• 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

OB Ultrasound

• Requires a full bladder
• Drink 16 oz of liquid 30-6- 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

Prostate Ultrasound

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

Renal, Urinary Bladder Ultrasound

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

Ultrasound Abdomen, Aorta, Liver, Pancreas or Gallbladder

• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the exam

Diagnostic Imaging
2nd Floor Hunt Regional Medical Center Medical Pavilion
903-408-5005