Preparation Information
Plain X-Ray Preparation
No specific preparation is required for a plain X-ray.
It is important that you tell your own doctor and staff at the radiology facility where you are having the X-ray if there is any chance you might be pregnant. This is important information, as it will make a difference in the way the X-ray is carried out or a different test altogether might be required. Your safety and that of your unborn child is the number one priority.
You will usually be given a hospital gown to wear, as some clothing can make it difficult to see the images clearly. You might also need to remove certain items, such as watches, necklaces and some types of clothing that contain metal objects, such as zips.
If you are attending a follow-up X-ray to assess the progress of an injury or illness, you might need to take any previous X-rays with you so the radiologist (specialist doctor) who will send a report to your own doctor can compare the new X-ray with the old one and see if there have been any recent changes.
CT Examination Preparation
You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may need to wear a gown during the procedure.
Metal objects, including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins, may affect the CT images. Leave them at home or remove them prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work. Women will be asked to remove bras containing metal underwire. You may be asked to remove any piercings, if possible.
You will be asked not to eat or drink anything for a few hours beforehand, if contrast material will be used in your exam. You should inform the staff of all medications you are taking and if you have any allergies. If you have a known allergy to contrast material, your doctor may prescribe medications (usually a steroid) to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. To avoid unnecessary delays, contact your doctor before the exact time of your exam.
Also inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions and whether you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems. Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an adverse effect.
Women should always inform their physician and the CT technologist if there is any possibility that they may be pregnant.
Ultrasound Examination Preparation
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You may need to remove all clothing and jewelry in the area to be examined.
You may be asked to wear a gown during the procedure.
Preparations depend on the type of ultrasound you are having.
- For a study of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas, you may be asked to eat a fat-free meal on the evening before the test and then to avoid eating for eight to 12 hours before the test.
- For ultrasound of the kidneys, you may be asked to drink four to six glasses of liquid about an hour before the test to fill your bladder. You may be asked to avoid eating.
Interventional Procedure Preparation
Most needle biopsies are performed in an outpatient setting with minimal preparation. When you schedule your biopsy appointment, you will receive detailed instructions about preparation for the biopsy procedure.
If you are having a needle or surgical biopsy, ask your health care provider if you need to stop taking any medications before the procedure.
You may be instructed not eat or drink for eight hours before your biopsy. However, you may take your routine medications with sips of water. If you are diabetic and take insulin, you should talk to your doctor as your usual insulin dose may need to be adjusted.
Prior to a needle biopsy, you should report to your doctor all medications that you are taking, including herbal supplements, and if you have any allergies, especially to anaesthesia. Your physician may advise you to stop taking aspirin or a blood thinner for a specific period of time before your procedure.
Also, inform your doctor about recent illnesses and other medical conditions.
You may be asked to wear a gown during the procedure.
Women should always inform their physician if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Some procedures using image-guidance are typically not performed during pregnancy because radiation can be harmful to the fetus. See the Safety page for more information about pregnancy and x-rays.
You may want to have a relative or friend accompany you and drive you home afterward. This is necessary if you have undergone sedation.
Coronary Artery CT Preparation
CT images are clearer if your heart rate is low, and you might be given medications before the test to slow down your heart rate. It is advisable that you do not have any tea (including herbal teas), coffee, cola or other stimulants before the procedure as these contain caffeine, which can raise your heart rate.
It is not necessary to go without food or drink before the procedure, but a full stomach is not advisable, as this together with the contrast agent might make you feel nauseated. Generally we ask patients not to eat for 4 hours prior to the CT scan.
It is important that you advise the radiology facility staff when you make the appointment if you have asthma, diabetes, any kidney problems, irregular heart rhythm or have in the past had an allergy to contrast agents used in a radiology procedure or a strong history of allergy to other things (like foods, pollens or dust). If you have any of these conditions, it might not be possible to have this test.
The procedure could require several hours of preparation after you arrive at the radiology facility before you have the CTCA.
If you are taking metformin for diabetes, you may or may not need to stop taking it for this test, depending on whether or not your kidney function is normal. You will need to bring the results of a recent kidney function test with you, so that it can be checked.
Many patients come to the appointment with a companion who can drive them home. Even though you might have to stay after the procedure until the effects of medication used to lower the heart rate have worn off, you could still feel a little light headed walking or driving.
Barium Preparation
Barium Swallow
Your booking staff will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your barium swallow.
You should inform the booking staff of any medications being taken and if there are any allergies, especially to iodinated contrast materials. Also inform the booking staff about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.
Women should always inform the receptionist and radiographer if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Many imaging tests are not performed during pregnancy so as not to expose the fetus to radiation. If an x-ray is necessary, precautions will be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the baby. See the Safety page for more information about pregnancy and x-rays.
To ensure the best possible image quality, your stomach must be empty of food. Therefore, your doctor will likely ask you not to eat or drink anything (including any medications taken by mouth, especially antacids) and to refrain from chewing gum after midnight on the day of the examination.
You will be asked to remove some of your clothes and to wear a gown during the exam. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, removable dental appliances, eye-glasses and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images.
Barium Enema
Your physician will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your barium enema.
You should inform the staff of any medications being taken and if there are any allergies, especially to iodinated contrast materials. Also inform the staff about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.
On the day before the procedure you will likely be asked not to eat, and to drink only clear liquids like juice, tea, black coffee, cola or broth, and to avoid dairy products. After midnight, you should not eat or drink anything. For adults (but not usually in children), it is important that your colon be completely empty for the procedure. You may also be instructed to take a laxative (in either pill or liquid form) and to use an over-the-counter enema preparation the night before the examination and possibly a few hours before the procedure. Just follow your doctor's instructions. You can take your usual prescribed oral medications with limited amounts of water.
You will be asked to remove some of your clothes and to wear a gown during the exam. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, removable dental appliances, eye-glasses and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images.
Women should always inform their physician and x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Many imaging tests are not performed during pregnancy so as not to expose the fetus to radiation. If an x-ray is necessary, precautions will be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the baby.
