Preparation For Diagnostic Examinations

When making your appointment, please inform the office if you are pregnant. Patients who are elderly, have diabetes, kidney disease, allergies or any condition which prevents them from following a preparation should consult their physician.

Please bring a valid picture ID and your insurance card(s).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Contrast or Combined exams may require serum creatinine and GFR. Do not eat anything 2 hours prior to the exam. May drink water and take medication prior to the exam.

You cannot have an MRI if you have:

  • A CARDIAC PACEMAKER
  • BRAIN ANEURYSM CLIPS
  • FOREIGN BODY/METAL IN EYES
  • COCHLEAR IMPLANT
  • VAGUS NERVE STIMULATOR

Please advise technologist if you have any prosthetic devices (ie. hip or knee replacement). All patients who have been prescribed tranquilizers should arrive 30 minutes prior to the appointment time and must be accompanied by an adult. All patients must remove all jewelry, hair pins and other metallic accessories for the procedure. Headphones and / or earplugs are available during most procedures.

Ultrasound

ABDOMEN ULTRASOUND

  • Nothing to eat, drink, or chew gum 8 hours prior to the procedure. (Medication should be taken with as little water as possible prior to the exam)

PELVIS

  • Your bladder must be full for the exam.
  • Empty bladder 1 hour before the appointment.
  • 1 hour before the appointment, drink 32 oz. of water (4 glasses). Do not urinate again until the exam is completed.

BLADDER

  • Drink 24 oz. of water 1 hour before scheduled appointment. Do not urinate until the exam is completed.

ABDOMEN / PELVIS

  • Starting 8 hours prior to exam, no food or fluid.
  • 1 hour prior to exam, drink 32 oz. of water (4 glasses). Do not urinate until the exam is completed.

Bone Densitometry (DEXA)

  • Do not take calcium supplements or vitamins containing calcium within the 24 hours before your exam
  • Avoid wearing clothing with zippers, hooks, buttons, or decorations, particularly if made of metal.

Fluoroscopy

UPPER GI SERIES AND / OR SMALL BOWEL

  • Nothing to eat, drink or chew gum 8 hours prior to the procedure.

Computed Tomography (CT)

Contrast or Combined exams may require serum creatinine and GFR. We use non-ionic contrast exclusively.

AT THE TIME OF SCHEDULING, please alert our staff if you have or had any previous reactions to contrast, allergies, asthma, or any kidney problems, and AGAIN UPON ARRIVAL AT THE OFFICE.

CT ABDOMEN / PELVIS WITH CONTRAST OR COMBINED

  • Do not eat anything 4 hours prior to the exam. (OK to take medication with water prior to exam)
  • May drink water prior to exam.
  • Studies of the abdomen and pelvis with or without contrast require patients to drink oral contrast after they arrived at the office for their appointment. Allow an additional 1 hour to drink the oral contrast.

CT IVP

  • Do not eat anything 4 hours prior to the exam. (OK to take medication with water prior to exam)
  • Drinking water during the 12 hours prior to the examination is encouraged.
  • Allow an additional 45 minutes to check-in and drink water prior to exam time.

ALL OTHER CT CONTRAST / COMBINED EXAMS

  • Do not eat anything 2 hours prior to the exam. (OK to take medication with water prior to exam)
  • May drink water prior to exam.

CT NON-CONTRAST (Head, Sinus, Chest, Spine & KUB)

  • No preparation necessary.

Mammography/Tomosynthesis

  • If available, please bring previous images with you for comparison.
  • Do not wear deodorant, powder or lotion on the breast or underarm area.
  • Please wear a two-piece outfit.

All Biopsies

  • Recommend stopping any blood thinners or daily aspirin 5 days prior to exam . Please consult with your physician.