MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Preparations

MRI Abdomen/MRCP (Cholangiogram): Do not eat and/or drink four hours prior to exam.
All other MRI Exams: No preparation needed. Wear simple clothing.
No Jewelry • No Makeup • No Hairpins

CT (CAT Scan) Preparations

Abdominal & Pelvis: Do not eat and/or drink four hours prior to exam. Can have clear liquids and all medications are permitted up to four hours prior to the exam. Patient will need to drink barium liquid at specified time. Barium liquid will taste best cold or may be mixed with orange juice.
Specific instructions as follows:
Abdomen Only: Drink two bottles of barium liquid one hour prior to exam time.
Abdomen/Pelvis: Drink one bottle of barium liquid two hours prior and one bottle one hour prior to exam.
Pelvis Only: Drink two bottles of barium liquid two hours prior to exam time.
Brain with contrast, Soft Tissue Neck, Soft Tissue Orbits, Chest: Can have clear liquids and all medications are permitted up to four hours prior to exam. Nothing to eat, drink, or chew 4 hours prior to exam.

Fluoroscopy Preparations

Small Bowel/Upper GI Series: Eat a light evening meal the day before the exam. Do not eat and/or drink anything after midnight until after the exam is completed. You may have a laxative of your choice after the exam.
Barium Enema: Have your referring physician write you a prescription for Colyte. Begin preparation by increasing your fluid intake. Drink a lot of water and clear liquids. The day before the exam, do not eat any food after 12:00p.m. Begin taking Colyte at 3:00p.m. Have a liquid dinner. Absolutely no dairy products. You will be eliminating stool most of the evening and night. This is normal and important. By morning you will probably be passing only water. *Remember, only clear liquids until after the exam.
IVP: Follow Barium Enema instructions above. Do not eat or drink anything four hours prior to the exam.
Myelogram: Do not eat and/or drink anything 6 hours prior to your examination. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Nuclear Cardiology Preparations

Cardiac Imaging Stress Test (Treadmill): This is a two-day study. Day one is the resting baseline picture, you may eat normally. Day two is the stress picture and stress test with the doctor. Eat lighly three to four hours before the stress test. Discontinue caffeine and Beta Blockers the day before and the day of stress test, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Adenosine/Persantine Stress Test (No Treadmill): Same as above except discontinue any Theophylline (Bronchodilators) meds the day before and the day of the stress test.

Nuclear Medicine Preparations

Hepatobiliary (Pipida) Scan: Do not eat and/or drink anything after midnight and no barium enemas or Upper GI studies 48 hours prior to exam.
Thyroid Scan: This is a two day study. You take a pill early AM and return a few hours later for scans. Fast after midnight. Return next day for final scan. No thyroid medications, iodine treatments, CT's or IVP's three to six weeks prior to exam.
Gastric Emptying Scan: Do not eat and/or drink anything after midnight.
H-Pylori (C-14 Breath Test): No antibiotics for six weeks prior to exam.
Liver/Spleen Scan: No barium enemas or upper GI studies 48 hours prior to test.
Renal Scan: Patient needs to be well hydrated. Increase fluid intake.

Ultrasound Preparations

Abdominal, Renal, & Aorta Ultrasound: Do not eat and/or drink anything after midnight the night before your exam.
Pelvic & OB Ultrasound: Drink 36-40 ounces of liquid (water, tea, soda) two hours before the exam. Don not empty your bladder. It must be full for the exam.

 

If you have any questions regarding the preparation of your exam, please contact the scheduling department at 239-938-3535.

Florida Radiology Consultants, L. L. C.

63 Barkley Circle, Suites 100 & 101, Fort Myers • 6311 South Pointe Blvd., Suite 600, Fort Myers