When your primary care physician or specialist requests a diagnostic study requiring imaging,

There is little advanced preparation required before most imaging procedures. However, some imaging procedures may require you to do some preparation at home before you come in or when you first reach the radiology laboratory.  For example, abdominal studies frequently involve swallowing a liquid containing barium. Other studies require the bladder or bowel to be clear, so evacuation must begin several hours in advance.  Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your specific procedure. Make sure you complete these steps prior to appearing for your tests, otherwise your procedure will be re-scheduled.

Below are some of the things your physician will probably tell you to do in advance before your procedure:

X-Rays and Fluoroscopy
Remove all jewelry and metallic items that that could show up on the images. If you are having an Upper or Lower GI Series performed, you will likely be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the morning of the examination. Nor should you chew gum or smoke as these activities can cause stomach secretions, which also may degrade the quality of the images.

MRI Scans
You will be asked to remove all metal objects such as jewelry, watch, eyeglasses and hairpins. People with pacemakers and implanted metal objects should not have MRIs.

CT Scans
You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your CT exam. Metal objects can affect the image, so avoid clothing with zippers and snaps. You may also be asked to remove hairpins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any removable dental work, depending on the part of the body that is being scanned. You may also be asked not to eat or drink anything for one or more hours before the exam.

PET Scans

• Do not exercise for 24 hours prior to the exam. Muscles need to be in a relaxed state when having a PET Scan.
• Please bring a complete list of medications, previous exam reports, such as CT and/or MRI films and reports, and if applicable, chemotherapy/radiation therapy history, including the date of last treatment.
• Drink plenty of water prior to the exam.
• Oncology Patients: Do not eat 4 hours before the exam.
• Cardiology Patients: May eat a light breakfast, but must be low in fat.
• Diabetic Patients: Do NOT fast. Eat a regular low-fat meal. And take usual dose of insulin.

Mammograms
Do not use any deodorant, powder, or lotion the day of your mammogram.  These items can produce densities or specks on your mammogram and be interpreted as an abnormality. Worse still, they could hide true calcifications or a nodule.

Ultrasound
You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your ultrasound exam. For some scans, your doctor may instruct you not to eat or drink for as much as 12 hours before your appointment.

For fetal ultrasounds (particularly early in the pregnancy), you may be required to have a full bladder for the procedure. Air interferes with sound waves, so if your bladder is distended, the air-filled bowel is pushed out of the way and an image of the uterus, embryo or fetus is obtained. You may be instructed to drink up to six glasses of water and avoid urinating until the procedure is completed.

Nuclear Medicine
You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. You should not eat for four hours before the scan and you will be encouraged to drink water (especially if your test involves evaluation of the stomach or kidneys). Your doctor will instruct you regarding the use of medications before the test.

(Note: Any woman who is pregnant, suspects that she is pregnant or is nursing should advise their physician in advance before any imaging procedure is performed.)