Prepare for Exams

Preparation for Diagnostic Examination

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

  • MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

    Blood work (BUN and CREATNINE) is needed within 45 days prior to exam if an MRI with contrast is requested and the patient is over 60 years old.

    Patients with cardiac stents MUST bring stent card with them to appointment.

    You cannot have a MRI if you have:

    1. A CARDIAC PACEMAKER;
    2. A MIDDLE EAR PROTHESIS;
    3. HAD SURGERY IN THE PAST WEEK
    4. A BRAIN ANEURYSM CLIP;
    5. NEUROSTIMULATORS;

    Please advise the technologists if you have any prosthetic device (i.e hip or knee replacement etc.)

    If the patient requires tranquilizer, please arrive 1/2 hour prior to the appointment, and must be accompanied by a companion.

    All patients must remove all jewelry, hair pins and other metallic accessories for the procedure. Patients should not wear any eye makeup.

  • MAMMOGRAPHY

    (Please bring last year's films if available)

    DO not wear deodorant, powder or lotion on the breast or underarm area.

    If available, please bring previous mammogram films with you for comparison.

    If you are nursing or recently post partum, please advise the office in advance.

  • DEXA

    Do not take any calcium pills 24 hours prior to exam.

  • CT SCAN HEAD OR BODY W/ CONTRAST

    If IV contrast is requested for any CT exam, blood work (BUN and CREATNINE) is needed within 45 days prior to exam.

    Oral contrast is required for the following:

    1. Abdomen with & without IV contrast/ Abdomen without IV contrast - 1 bottle (1/2 hour wait before exam after contrast is consumed)
    2. Pelvis with and without IV contrast/ Pelvis without IV contrast - 2 bottles (1 hour wait before exam after contrast is consumed)
    3. Abdomen-Pelvis with & without IV contrast/ Abdomen-Pelvis without IV contrast - 2 bottles (1 hour wait before exam after contrast is consumed)

    ORAL CONTRAST WILL BE PROVIDED AT DDI
    (Only non-ionic contrast issued)

    Do not eat, drink or chew anything 4-6 hours prior to the exam.

    It is important to advice the technologist, prior to the exam, if you have a history of iodine allergy or anaphylactic reaction.

  • ULTRASOUND - ABDOMINAL

    Nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior. Take prescribed medications with sip of water. Diabetics: Consult your doctor for medication advice. Bring something with you to eat after your exam. Padiatrics: Nothing to eat/drink 4 hours before the exam. Infants: Nothing to eat/drink 2 hours before exam.

  • ULTRASOUND - PELVIC

    Drink 32 oz. or 6 glasses of water 1 hour before schedule exam. Do not urinate after drinking water; a full bladder is needed.

  • ULTRASOUND -OBSTERICS

    Day of Exam: For a morning test: Eat light breakfast. For an afternoon test: Eat light breakfast and eat a light lunch.

    If BLADDER exam is included, drink 32 oz. or 6 glasses of water 1 hour before pelvic portion of exam. Do not urinate after drinking water; a full bladder is needed.

  • ULTRASOUND - TRANSVAGINAL

    Requires no preparation. Menstruation does not interfere with this procedure.