Preparing For Your Procedure

The information in this section is intended to help you prepare for your upcoming Radiology procedure. Click here to find forms for you to print and complete prior to your appointment. 

If you still have questions, please call the Central Scheduling Department at 833-247-2778, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Below is a list of radiology procedures are preparation instructions for each:

CT scan procedures

No preparation necessary for the following procedures:

• Cervical, Lumbar and Thoracic Spines
• Extremities for Fracture
• Sinuses
• Facial Bones(orbits, zygoma, nasal bones, maxilla and Mandible) for fracture.
• Mastoids – for mastoiditis
• CT Post: Sialogram, Artrogram, myelogram, discogram (see prep and procedure in IR).

All contrast procedures:

• NPO (no foods or liquids) 2 Hours before procedures
• Non-emergent CT abdomen and Pelvis studies - oral contrast is distributed to the patient the day before the procedure.
• The radiologist determines IV contrast use.

Mammography procedures

Preparation:

• No deodorant or talcum powder the day of the procedure.
• Bring previous mammograms if not done at Capital Health.

MRI procedures

No preparations necessary

Nuclear Medicine procedures

No preparation necessary for these procedures:

• Cisternogram (IP only)
• GI Bleed Scan
• Liver Spect (Hemangioma or Hepatoma)
• Liver/Spleen
• Metastron Therapy
• Muga Scan
• Perfusion Ling Scan Ventilation-Xenon (HIV, TB, No ventilation)
• Renogram

Preparation necessary for procedures

• Bone Scan
• Bone Scan/Triple Phase (Flow Study)
• Bone Spect

Preparation:

• Patient must be hydrated - 4 to 5 glasses of liquid through the day.
• Inpatients must have a Foley catheter. Outpatient nursing home patients must have a Foley catheter.
• GB Biliary Scan/DISIDA Scan/Hepatobiliary Scan

Preparation:

• No narcotic pain meds 4 hours prior to procedure.
• Inpatients must be off Hyeral (TPN) 4 hours prior.
• NPO 4 hours prior to exam.

• Gallium scan
  Preparation:

  • Lower bowel prep- extreme low residue diet.

• Hyperthyroid treatment consultation
  Preparation:
  • No thyroid medication or antihistamines
  • No extradietary sources of iodine (see below): Source -- Usual duration of Effect
  • Contrast Media -- 4 to 6 weeks
  • Renografin -- 4 to 6 weeks
  • Hypague -- 4 to 6 weeks
  • Telepague -- up to 6 months
  • Lipiodol -- indefinitely Lugol’s Solution -- 2 to 4 weeks Asthma, cough and vitamin preparations -- 1 to 2 weeks

• Thyroid extract -- 2 to 4 weeks
  • Iodoquinol/Diiodohyroxyquin (Yodoxin) -- 2 to 4 weeks
  • Clioquinol/Iodochlorhydroxyquin (Vioform and others) -- 1 to 2 weeks
    • Lithium
    • Thyroid Hormones
      • Throxine (T4) -- 10 days
      • Triiodothyyronine (T3) -- 3 days
      • Propylthiouracil -- 3 days
      • Tapazole -- 7 days
      • No fish -- 7 days
      • No vitamins with Iodine -- 7 days

• Meckel’s scan
  Preparation:
  • 16 years to adult – NPO (no foods or liquids) after midnight
  • 0-6 years – NPO (no foods or liquids) 2 hours prior to procedure

• Renogram with Furosemide (Lasix)
  Preparation:
  • 16 oz fluid 30 minutes prior.
  • Void prior scan.

• Renovascular hypertension
  Preparation:
  • Standard Infusion Set (do not use minidrip Stat volume infusion maybe needed if patient develops hypotension. If patient does not take sufficient oral liquids, give 300-400 ml IV fluid over 15-20 minute period prior to study).
  • Baseline study done in advance.
  • RVH Captopril Renal 1 to 5 days post baseline study.
  • ACE-inhibitors should be withheld within 72 hours.
    • ACE-inhibitors:
    • Benazapril (Lotensin)
    • Captopril (Capoten)
    • Enalapril (Vasotec)
    • Fosinopril (Monopril)
    • Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
    • Moexipril (Univasc)
    • Perindopril (Aceon)
    • Quinapril (Accupril)
    • Ramipril (Altace)
    • Trandolapril (Mavik)
• Other blood pressure medication can be omitted morning of study if the physician so orders.
  Stop diuretics 4 days prior to studyPatient must be well hydrated. On arrival patient is given two to three eight ounce glasses of fluid to drink.Patient must void prior to study, Foley catheter inserted on patient with bladder problems. Pt must be supine.

• Stress test N.M., also Persantine
  Preparation:
  • Patient must be able to lift left arm above head for 20 minutes- twice.
  • Stress: Light breakfast, juice, toast. Check with physician if there are any medications to be held prior to study.
  • IV dipyridamole (Persantine); Fasting 2 to 4 hours prior to study (may have juice or water).

• Testicular scan
  Preparation:
  • Void prior to study
    • Thyroid Scan and Uptake
    • Thyroid Scan only
• Preparation:
  • No thyroid meds 3 weeks prior to exam
  • No iodine contrast 6 weeks prior to exam
  • No antibiotics or antihistamines 1 week prior to exams
  • No iodine contrast for gallbladder x-ray 6 months prior to exam
  • Fasting after 7 am on the first day

• Interventional Radiology (Special Procedures)
  • Studies requiring no preparation:
    • Arthrogram of a synovial joint space (knee, shoulder, etc.)
    • Biliary Stent Check
    • Nephrostomy tube check
    • Infusaport check
    • Venogram (bilateral or single)
    • Studies Requiring Preparation:
      • CT Guided Biopsy
      • CT Guided Drainage
  • Preparation:
    • CBC, PT, PTT, NPO (no foods or liquids) after Midnight except for medications.
  • Ultrasound

    Studies requiring no preparation:

    • Aorta
    • Brain under 1 year of age
    • Breast ultrasound
    • Kidneys
    • Soft tissue (knee or palpable mass)
    • Testicular Ultrasound
    • Thoracentesis (for mark only)
    • Transvaginal Ultrasound only
    • U.S. Guided Cyst Aspiration (Breast and Kidney)
    • U.S .Guide for Biopsy

    Studies requiring preparation

    • Acities
    • Gallbladder
    • Total Abdomen

    Preparation

    • Liquid fat free dinner the night before the exam
    • NPO (no foods or liquids) after midnight or 12 hours prior to procedure
    • Check with radiologist if the patient is a diabetic
    • Biophysical Profil e(done in Maternal Fetal)

    Preparation

    • Drink 32 oz. Fluid 1 hour before the exam. Patient cannot void until after the exam is completed.
    • If the patient is a diabetic, drink 4 oz. of orange juice with 1 teaspoon of sugar.
    • Fetal Age (now done in Maternal Fetal)
    • Pregnancy Ultrasound (now done under Maternal Fetal)

    Preparation

    • Drink 32 oz. Fluid 1 hour before the exam. Patient cannot void until after the exam is completed.
  • Liver, Pancreas, Spleen
    Preparation:
    • Liquid fat free dinner the night before the exam
    • NPO (no foods or liquids) after midnight or 6 hours prior to procedure
    • Check with radiologist if the patient is a diabetic.
  • Pelvic ultrasound
    Preparation:
    • Drink 32 oz fluid 1 hour before the examination, finishing the drink within 15-20 minutes. If the patient is over 50, ask if they are taking diuretics or blood pressure medications. If so, take when they are drinking the water.
  • Prostate biopsy
  • Prostate ultrasound
  • 8 oz of magnesium citrate the evening before the exam
  • Pyloric
    Preparation:
    • NPO (no foods or liquids) 2 hours prior to the exam
  • Transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound
    Preparation:
    • Drink 32 oz of fluid 1 hour before exam. Finish drinking within 15-20 minutes. Do not void until study is completed.
  • X-Ray

    Studies requiring no preparation:

    • Hypague Enema/Gastrografin Colon
    • Cystogram, voiding cystogram
    • Epidural under Fluoroscopy
    • Fistulogram/Sinus Tract injection
    • Hysterosalpingogram
    • IVP
    • PTC
    • Tomogram
    • T-tube colangiogram

    Studies requiring preparation:

    • Barium Enema
      Preparation:
      • The day before the test
        • 1. Day before the test-patient may have a normal lunch.
        • 2. 1 PM and 3 PM patient drinks a full glass of water.
        • 3. 5 PM patient can have 1 cup of clear broth, a glass of juice and plain Jell-O.
        • 4. 6 PM patient has a full glass of water.
        • 5. 7 PM patient drinks one bottle of cold Magnesium Citrate.
        • 6. 9 PM patient takes 3 Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water. Patient does not chew the tablets or take them with milk or antacids.
      • The day of the test
        • 1. Patient eats nothing for breakfast
        • 2. 6 AM patient uses one Biscacodyl suppository.
    • Esophogram/ Barium Swallow
    • Gastrografin Stomach
    • Small Bowel Study
    • UGI

      Preparation:

      • NPO (no foods or liquids) after midnight