Patient Preparation for the CAT Scan

• You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies, especially to contrast materials.
• You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure.
• Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.
• Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
• You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours beforehand, especially if a
  Contrast Material
  Also referred to as contrast agent or contrast medium. Any internally administered substance that has a different opacity from soft tissue on radiography or computed tomography. Includes:
  · Barium or water, used to make parts of the gastrointestinal tract opaque.
  · Iodine in water, used for arthrography.
  · Water soluble iodine, used to make blood vessels opaque; to demonstrate the inner structures of the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters and bladder); and to outline joints (the spaces between two bones).
  · Iodine mixed with water or oil may be used to evaluate the fallopian tubes and lining of the uterus.
  · Sterile saline (salt water) is used during hysterosonography.
  · May refer to air occurring naturally or introduced into the body.
  · Paramagnetic substances used in magnetic resonance imagin
  contrast material will be used in your exam.
• Also inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions, and if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems. Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an unusual adverse effect.

Abdomen and/or Pelvis CT Preparation

• Light dinner the evening before your exam.
• Fast (nothing to eat or drink) after midnight before your exam.
• Regular medications may be taken with small amounts of water, if necessary.
• CTs of the Abdomen and/or Pelvis exams will require you to drink Barium prior to the test.  You may pick up the Barium contrast at your physician’s office, at our facility, or you may arrive at least 1 hour prior to the test to drink.
• Refrain from chewing gum and smoking after midnight on the day of the examination
• You may be asked to wear a gown during the exam. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, eye glasses and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images.
• Women should always inform their physician or x-ray
  Technologist One trained in and using the techniques of a profession, art, or science.
  technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
• If your test is ordered with IV contrast:
•  in addition to the Barium, we will need Lab Results with BUN & Creatinine levels (within one month prior to your scheduled test)  for all patients over the age of 65, and/or if you have Diabetes or any Renal deficiency.  Your physician may have this in office, or you may need to have labs drawn, and
• A Consent Form & IV Contrast Questionnaire will need to be filled out & signed, prior to your test

Note:  If you are allergic to X-Ray IV contrast, you will need to be pre-medicated a few days before your test.  You will need to get a prescription from your physician or from our Radiologists to be taken before the test.

Preparation for CTs ordered with IV Contrast (Chest, Spine, Head, Extremities, CT Angiograms):

• We will need Lab Results with BUN & Creatinine levels (lab results within one month prior to your scheduled test)  for all patients over the age of 65, and/or if you have Diabetes or any Renal deficiency.  Your physician may have this in office, or you may need to have labs drawn.
• Many patients also receive iodine intravenously (injected into a vein) to help evaluate blood vessels and organs.  This contrast material will be injected into a vein shortly before or during your scan.
• You will feel a slight pin prick when the needle is inserted into your vein. You may have a warm, flushed sensation during the injection of the contrast materials and a metallic taste in your mouth that lasts for a few minutes. Occasionally, a patient will develop itching and hives, which can be relieved with medication. If you become light-headed or experience difficulty breathing, you should notify the technologist or nurse, as it may indicate a more severe allergic reaction.
• Fast for at least 4 hours prior to your exam time (nothing to eat or drink). 
• If your scan scheduled before 12pm (noon), do not eat or drink past midnight the night before your CT test. 
• If your scan is scheduled after noon, you may eat a very light breakfast, but make sure you do not eat or drink 4 hours prior to your appointment time.
• You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure.
• Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.
• Also inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions, and if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems. Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an unusual adverse effect.
• Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
• A Consent Form & IV Contrast Questionnaire will need to be filled out & signed, prior to your test

Note:  If you are allergic to X-Ray IV contrast, you will need to be pre-medicated a few days before your test.  You will need to get a prescription from your physician or from our Radiologists to be taken before the test.