Exam Preps

MRI

MRI/MRA

  • It recommended that you limit that amount of jewelry, hair pins and other metal belongings. All personal belongings will be locked in locker prior to the exam.
  • You should not have an MRI if you have a pacemaker, defibulator or cochlear (inner ear) implant.
  • If you have any other implanted devices, please consult with your imaging technologist prior to your appointment.

MRI Enterography

  • Nothing to eat or drink 4-6 hours prior to appointment time.
  • Please arrive 60 minutes before scheduled appointment time to drink oral prep.

CT

CT Abdomen/Pelvis

  • Patient will be asked to drink 32 oz. of water 1 hour prior to appointment (preparation may start at home)
  • If you have had any recent abdominal surgery (e.g. gastric bypass, gastrectomy) you will be asked to drink Breeza (gastrographin mixture) upon arrival. This preparation will take 1 hour prior to the exam.

CT Enterography

  • Nothing to eat or drink 4-6 hours prior to appointment time.
  • Please arrive 60 minutes before scheduled appointment time to drink oral prep.

PET/CT

Diet: Non-Diabetic patients

  • Fasting: For morning appointments (7:00am-10:30am) please have nothing to eat or drink, EXCEPT for Water after midnight. If your test is scheduled for the afternoon (12:00pm-4:30pm), you may eat proteins only (EGGS AND/OR STEAK/CHICKEN (NO SKIN) with vegetable/olive oil, salt and pepper- 4 hours before your PET scan.
  • NO coffee, juice, fruit, bread items, sugar, vegetables, bacon/sausage, cheese, or caffeine are allowed. Please follow protein diet 24 hours prior to appointment unless you are DIABETIC.
  • Medications: you may take your PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS with water only but no antacids (Rolaids/Tums), multi-vitamins, cough drops, or cough syrup.  NO gum, mints, or candy the day of your exam.

Diet: Diabetic patients

  • Your blood sugar should be below 150 mg/dl before we can begin the study. If your glucose level is too high, we will have to reschedule as this will affect the images. Take your diabetes medication at least 3-4 hours prior to your exam time if your glucose is above 150 mg/dl. (You may have eggs and water with your medication)
  • DO NOT start eggs and water diet the day before the PET Scan. Your sugar will drop too low by the day of the test. Keep your normal diet the day before the PET/CT Scan. Eggs and water the day of the scan.
  • If you take insulin, we will give instructions for reducing the amount of insulin on the day of the scan. You may take other medications the day of the test.

Exercise
You should not perform any strenuous exercise the day before or the day of the study. Otherwise, your study results will be affected.

Arrival
Please be sure to be on time for your injection. The injection that we give you has a very short shelf life and made specifically for you. If you need to reschedule please call us 24 hours in advance so that we may cancel your dose.

Clothing
Wear loose warm clothing and no jewelry. We recommend that women wear a two-piece outfit.

Children
Children will not be allowed to accompany you on the day of your exam. You will also need to avoid close contact with children for 6-8 hours after your procedure.

*If you have any questions please contact the imaging center and speak with a technologist
Medical Center 210-692-9824 or Downtown 210-351-0784 *

Ultrasound

Pelvic
60 minutes prior to your exam, begin drinking 32 ounces of water. Be sure all 32 ounces are consumed 45 minutes prior to your scheduled exam time. Please do not empty your bladder.

Abdominal (Liver, Gallbladder, Aorta, Renal)
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight or 6 hours prior to the exam

Barium Enema
The prep kit will need to be picked up at the imaging center and will contain all the appropriate medications needed.

Instructions:
DAY BEFORE PROCEDURE

  • Breakfast: Clear Soup (any broth); Strained fruit juices without pulp; flavored gelatin that is not red
    (Do not add extra ingredients); popsicles, soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea.
  • Noon: Clear Soup (any broth); Strained fruit juices without pulp; flavored gelatin that is not red
    (Do not add extra ingredients); popsicles, soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea.
  • 1:00 P.M.: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
    2:00 P.M.: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
    3:00 P.M.: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
    4:00 P.M.: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
    5:00 P.M.: Clear Soup (any broth); Strained fruit juices without pulp; flavored gelatin that is not red
    (Do not add extra ingredients); popsicles, soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea.
  • 5:30 P.M.: Drink entire contents of Magnesium Citrate bottle. This product generally produces a bowel movement in 30 minutes to 6 hours.
    6:00 P.M.: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
    7:00 P.M.: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
    7:30 P.M.: Take all four (4) Bisacodyl tablets with one (1) full 8 oz glass of water. DO NOT CHEW TABLETS.
    8:00 P.M.: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
    9:00 P.M.: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water. Do not eat after 9:00 P.M.

DAY OF PROCEDURE -DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING

  • At least 2 hours before the examination unwrap the Bisacodyl suppository and discard the wrapper.
  • While lying on your side with thigh raised, insert the suppository into the rectum and gently push in as far as possible.
  • Retain the suppository for at least 15 minutes, if possible, before evacuating, even if the urge is strong.
  • Bowel evacuation usually occurs within 15 to 60 minutes. Patients requiring assistance should have a bed pan, commode or help readily available.

Mammography

No deodorant, perfumes or talcum powder. If possible, wear a blouse with pants or a skirt as complete undressing is not necessary.
Please bring all previous mammogram images if the prior exam was performed at a facility other than Baptist Breast Centers.

Bone Densitometry (DEXA)

  • AVOID ALL CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS, MULTI-VITAMINS, CALCIUM CONTAINING, ANTIACIDS, Such as TUMS and ROLAIDS on the day before and the day of your exam. These can show up on the scan and cause an incorrect reading for the Bone Density.
  • Take all medication prescribed by your doctor.
  • Most medications for GERD and Heartburn do not interfere with this exam.

 

Please discuss with scheduling or the imaging center for questions or concerns.