Diagnostic Imaging Services

Please locate your specific procedure as listed below and follow the preparation instructions fully.  You will need to limit your food and liquid intake according to the instructions for your procedure.  You may take any necessary medications. If you have any allergies or medical conditions that may relate to your test, please report them to your radiology technologist.  If your procedure includes vascular contrast administration, and if serum creatinine has been performed within 14 days, results of that should be sent or brought to our department.

Instructions for IVP

The morning of your test:

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight until completion of your test.

Instructions for Barium Enema

  1. Clear liquid diet for 12 hours prior to exam.
  2.  At 4 p.m. on the day prior to exam, 300 ML (10 oz.) Magnesium Citrate orally.

Instructions for UGI/Bowel Series/UGI following Barium Enema

The day before your test:

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight until completion of your test.

The morning of your test:

  1. Do not eat or drink anything. Do not chew gum.
  2. Take any necessary medications.

The day of the test, after the procedure:

  1. Drink plenty of clear fluids.
  2. Eat your regular lunch and dinner.

Instructions for MRI

These studies need to be scheduled. MRI needs no preparation, unless risk factors exist. If you have any risk factors, please notify the MRI scheduling personnel.

MRI risk factors:

  • Cardiac pacemaker
  • Cardiac valve prosthesis with ferromagnetic material
  • Claustrophobia
  • Intracranial aneurysm clips
  • Metalworker
  • Pregnancy

Instructions for CT Scans

Abdomen, Pelvis, Kidney

The day before your test:

  1. You may have a regular meal for dinner.
  2. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
  3. Abdomen and pelvic CT scans require patients to pick up oral contrasts.

The morning of your test:

  1. If your test is scheduled before 1 p.m., do not eat or drink anything before the test. If your test is scheduled after 1 p.m., you may drink water, coffee without cream, fruit juices, or coke before 8 a.m. Do not eat or drink anything after 8:00 a.m.
  2. Take any necessary medications.

Head, chest — The morning of your test:

Do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the test is scheduled.

Spine, any extremeties:

No preparation necessary

Nuclear Medicine

These studies need to be scheduled at least 24 hours before the procedure is required. The following studies require the patient to have nothing by mouth (NPO) for 4-6 hours before the procedure:

HIDA Scan, Thallium, GI Bleeders, Gastric Emptying Study, Schillings 

Renal Scan with Captopril

If patient is already taking ACE inhibitor (which may be Captopril) or diuretics, discontinue these at least 72 hours before scanning. ACE inhibitors which are longer acting than Captopril and diuretics are preferably discontinued 1 week prior to scanning.

Gallium Scan

Take the bowel prep kit the evening prior to the first day of testing.

Thyroid Scans

Must be off all thyroid medications for 3 weeks. No I.V. contrast with iodine for 6-8 weeks. This includes CT contrast. Other nuclear medicine exams generally do not require preparation.

No Prep

Muga Scan, Bone Scan, Meckels Diverticulum Scan, VQ Lung Scan

Nuclear Cardiac Stress Test

  1. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
  2. Do not drink any caffeine the day of your test.
  3. Do not smoke for 2 hours before your test.
  4. Wear comfortable clothes and low heel walking shoes.
  5. Come to the hospital at least 45 minutes before your test.
  6. Bring with you any medications you are taking.
  7. The test will take 3 hours.

Cardiac Stress Test Without Imaging

  1. If your test is after 10 a.m., eat an early breakfast.
  2. If your test is before 10 a.m., do not eat or drink anything.
  3. Do not drink any caffeine the day of your test.
  4. Do not smoke for 2 hours before your test.
  5. Wear comfortable clothes and low heel walking shoes.
  6. Come to the hospital at least 45 minutes before your test.
  7. Bring with you any medications you are taking.

Instructions for Sonogram

Pancreas, ABD, Aorta, Gallbladder, Liver

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Pelvis, OB

  1. Eat your regular breakfast.
  2. One hour before your test is scheduled, drink a total of 64 ounces of water. DO NOT EMPTY YOUR BLADDER. It is necessary for you to have a full bladder for the test to be done.

Kidney, Thyroid, Breast, Other

No preparation is necessary.

Instructions for Mammogram

Mammograms need to be scheduled.  Patients should not wear any perfumes, deodorant or body talcs from the waist up prior to the examination.  Patients should bring mammogram films taken elsewhere to Hillcrest Hospital South Hospital on the day of your appointment.

Radiology Scheduling (918) 294.4700

Radiology (918) 294.4152