Appointments

Directions & Parking

Exam Preparation

Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

Exam Preparation

CT Scan Exam Preparation | MRI Exam Preparation

---

CT Scan Exam Preparation

For all exams
Even when not eating or drinking food prior to the exam, do take any prescription medication you need to take. Take this only with a small amount of water. If you are diabetic, discuss with your physician whether you should modify your food or drug schedule.

• Abdomen
  Arrive 1½ hours before scheduled exam time to receive oral contrast. Have nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before the test, except for the oral contrast you will be given on site.
• Brain
  Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before the test.
• Chest
  Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before the test.
• Neck (Soft Tissue)
  Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before the test.
• Orbits, Sinuses, Face, Spine, Bone, Joints
  Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before test.
• Pelvis
  Arrive 1 ½ hours before scheduled exam time to receive oral contrast. Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before the test except for the oral contrast you will be given on site.
• CTA
  Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before the test.
• CT Colonoscopy (Virtual Colonoscopy)
  Full bowel prep beginning the day prior to the examination.
• CT Heart Scan (Coronary Calcium Scoring)
  No tobacco or caffeine for 2 hours prior to testing
• CT Lung Screening(Lung Scan)
  No preparation needed
• CT Whole Body (Neck - Pelvis)
  No preparation needed
• Contrast Used for CT Scans
  Not all CT procedures require the use of contrast material. However, in many cases the contrast used can help to define anatomy and help delineate abnormal structures in the body. There are two types of contrasts used for CT imaging, IV and oral. The IV contrast is injected into a vein in the arm and this contrast circulates through the blood stream. The oral contrast is swallowed and this contrast highlights the stomach and intestinal track.

For more information about contrasts, access one of the pages below:
IV Contrast
Oral Contrast

MRI/MRA Exam Preparation

• Abdomen - Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before test.
• MRCP - Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before test.
• Pelvis - Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before test.
• Abdomen MRA - Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before test.
• Pelvis MRA - Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before test.
• Lower Extremity Run-off MRA - Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before test.
• All other procedures do not require preparation.