PREP:

• If you are a diabetic taking Glucophage™, discontinue the medication the day of your scan. You will resume taking Glucophage 48 hours after your scan, with your doctor's permission. This precaution is being taken in case I.V. contrast material will be administered to you.
• Have nothing to eat for 4 hours before the examination.
• Notify the technologist if there is a possibility that you could be pregnant.
• Arrive 20 minutes before your appointment time to complete registration.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• You may be asked to change into a gown, depending on the body part being scanned.
• You will be asked to remove any necklaces, earrings or other metallic jewelry near the body area being scanned.
• A Nursing Assessment will be done. If you are to receive IV contrast media during this study, a detailed allergy history will also be done. Be sure to tell the nurse if you have an allergy to iodine, have ever had a reaction to an iodine-based contrast material or if you are a diabetic currently taking Glucophage™.
• If you will be receiving IV contrast media, a vein will be accessed with a needle or similar device. Blood may be withdrawn at this time & sent to Lab prior to your scan.
• Upon entering the CT scanner room, you will see a large machine with a donut-type opening. You will be asked to lie on the scanner's table. The procedure will be explained to you.
• If you are to have a contrast study, your IV will be connected to a mechanical injector, however no injection will take place until just prior to the scanning.
• The body part to be scanned will be positioned within the donut opening of the scanner. Technical settings will be verified.
• Contrast media (if used) will be rapidly injected. This can cause a warm, "flushed" feeling. Soon after the injection you will be asked to hold your breath & the tabletop will move through the donut opening while a series of scans are produced.
• Once the scanning is completed & the quality of the images is verified, the IV will be removed and you will be free to leave. Your images may be post-processed at any time afterwards.
• Total estimated time of procedure: 15-30 minutes.

Back to Top

PREP:

• Day before the Exam Pick up 1 envelope of E-Z-CAT Dry oral contrast at XRC Medical Imaging Center.
• 3 hours prior to the examination, mix 1 envelope of E-Z-CAT Dry oral contrast with 16oz. of water. Cover the container and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Drink immediately. If you cannot get an envelope of E-Z-CAT Dry before your examination, arrive at the Center 90 minutes prior to your examination to begin drinking the oral contrast.
• If you are a diabetic taking Glucophage™, discontinue the medication the day of your scan. You will resume taking Glucophage 48 hours after your scan, with your doctor's permission. This precaution is taken in case IV contrast material will be administered.
• Have nothing to eat for 4 hours before the examination except E-Z-CAT Dry oral contrast.
• Notify the technologist if there is a possibility you may be pregnant
• Arrive 45 minutes before your appointment time to complete registration and begin drinking additional oral contrast. (Arrive 2 hours before your appointment time if you did not drink the E-Z-CAT Dry oral contrast as described above.)

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• You will be asked to change into a gown and remove any metallic jewelry near the body area being scanned.
• While drinking the oral contrast, a Nursing Assessment will be done. If you are to also receive IV contrast media, a detailed allergy history will be completed. Be sure to tell the nurse if you have an allergy to iodine, have ever had a reaction to an iodine-based contrast media or if you are a diabetic currently taking Glucophage™.
• If you will be receiving IV contrast media, a vein will be accessed with a needle or similar device. Blood may be withdrawn at this time and sent to the Lab prior to your scan.
• Upon entering the CT scanner room, you will see a large machine with a donut-type opening. You will be asked to lie on the scanner's table. The procedure will be explained to you.
• If you are having a contrast study, your IV will be connected to a mechanical injector, however no injection will take place until just prior to scanning.
• Your abdomen / pelvis will be positioned within the donut opening of the scanner. Technical settings will be verified.
• Contrast media (if used) will be rapidly injected. This can cause a warm, "flushed" feeling. Soon after the injection you will be asked to hold your breath and the tabletop will move through the donut opening while a series of scans are produced.
• Once the scanning is completed and the quality of the images is verified, the IV will be removed and you will be free to leave. Your images may be post-processed at any time afterwards.
• Total estimated time of procedure: 15-30 minutes + 45 minutes prior to drink oral contrast. (2 hours prior to examination needed if E-Z-CAT Dry was not used.

Back to Top

PREP:

• Take all medications prescribed to you as you normally take them.
• A low-residue diet must be followed for 3 days prior to the exam. Foods included in a low-residue diet are noodles, rice, ripe bananas, saltines, melba toast, white toast, clear broth, strained fruit juices, Jell-O, eggs, and baked or broiled chicken or fish. Milk products, vegetables and nuts should be avoided.
• 2 days prior to the Exam: Pick up a LoSo Prep bowel cleansing system from XRC Medical Imaging Center.
• Day prior to the exam (Day 3 of the low-residue diet): follow the instructions on the LoSo Prep bowel cleansing system for day before procedure.
• Day of Exam: Follow the instructions on the LoSo Prep bowel cleansing system for day of procedure.
• Notify the technologist if there is a possibility that you are pregnant.
• Arrive 20 minutes before your appointment time to complete registration.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Upon arrival, you will be asked to change into a gown.
• A Nursing Assessment will be completed and the procedure explained to you.
• Once in the CT Room, you will be asked to lie on your side. An enema tip will be inserted into your rectum. A small amount of air will be pumped into your colon through the enema tip, which may cause you to feel bloated.
• You will be moved into many different positions to ensure that the air moves about the entire colon.
• A number of scans will be taken of you abdominal-pelvic area.
• Once the scanning is completed & the images quality-assured, the enema tip will be removed, and you will be allowed to use the restroom, change and leave.
• Your images will be reconstructed on a computer workstation at a later time.
• Total estimated time of procedure: 45 minutes.

Back to Top

PREP:

• Refer to prep instructions above, depending on which area of the body the biopsy is to be performed.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• You will be asked to change into a gown.
• A Nursing Assessment will be performed. Blood may also be drawn for lab work prior to the procedure.
• Once in the CT Room, you will lie on the scanner's table.
• Scans will be obtained in the area where the biopsy is to occur.
• Local anesthesia will be applied to the biopsy area. Under CT guidance, a needle will be inserted into the area of interest and tissue samples obtained.
• Once an adequate tissue sampling has been accomplished, the procedure is over.
• You will be moved to the recovery area for a 1-2 hour stay prior to being discharged.
• Total estimated procedure time: 30-45 minutes.

Back to Top

PREP:

• If you are taking Glucophage™, discontinue the medication on the day of your exam. You will resume taking Glucophage 48 hours after your scan, with your doctor's permission.
• Have nothing to eat for 4 hours before the examination.
• Notify the technologist if there is a possibility that you could be pregnant.
• Arrive 20 minutes before appointment time to complete registration.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• You will be asked to change into a gown and remove all metallic jewelry from the area being examined.
• A Nursing Assessment and detailed allergy history will be done. Be sure to tell the nurse if you have an allergy to iodine, have ever had a reaction to an iodine-based contrast material or if you are a diabetic currently taking Glucophage™.
• An IV will be started in your hand or arm. A blood sample may be withdrawn for lab analysis prior to the procedure.
• Upon entering the CT scanner room, you will see a large machine with a donut-type opening. You will be asked to lie on the scanner's table. The procedure will be explained to you.
• Your IV will be connected to a mechanical contrast injector, however no injection will take place until just prior to the scanning.
• The body area to be scanned will be positioned at the donut opening. Preliminary images will be obtained. Technical settings will be verified.
• Contrast media will be rapidly injected. This may cause a warm, "flushed" feeling. Soon after the injection you will be asked to hold your breath & the tabletop will move through the opening while a series of scans are produced.
• Once the scanning is completed & the quality of your images is verified, the IV will be removed & you will be free to leave. Your images will be post-processed later in the day.
• Total estimated procedure time: 20-30 minutes.

Back to Top