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Exam Preparation Instructions

MRI PROSTATE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

  • Nothing to eat after midnight the night before
  • You may take any medications in the morning with a little bit of water
  • If you are having Cyberknife treatment, you will be required to do an enema prior to arriving for your scan
  • You will be given a tablet of a medication called Bentyl upon arrival which will help slow down the movement of your stomach for a short period of time
  • You will wait in the lobby for a short period of time after taking the medication, then the MRI staff will bring you back to change and place an IV for the contrast
  • Plan to be here for approximately two hours start to finish
  • If you are anxious and/or claustrophobic, please make arrangements with your doctor for medication, and arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home after the exam

MRI RECTAL WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

  • Nothing to eat after midnight the night before
  • You may take any medications in the morning with a little bit of water
  • Pick up an over-the-counter enema from your local pharmacy and do this prior to your arrival
  • You will be given a tablet of a medication called Bentyl upon arrival which will help slow down the movement of your stomach for a short period of time
  • You will wait in the lobby for a short period of time after taking the medication, then the MRI staff will bring you back to change and place an IV for the contrast
  • Plan to be here for approximately two hours start to finish
  • If you are anxious and/or claustrophobic, please make arrangements with your doctor for medication, and arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home after the exam

MRI ENTEROGRAPHY WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

  • Nothing by mouth for four (4) hours prior to your ARRIVAL time
  • When you arrive, you will be given two bottles of oral contrast to drink prior to your scan
  • You will be given two tablets of medication called Levsin just before getting on the MRI scanner which will help slow down the movement of your stomach for a short period of time
  • An IV will be placed for the contrast dye
  • Plan to be here for approximately two hours start to finish
  • If you are anxious and/or claustrophobic, please make arrangements with your doctor for medication, and arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home after the exam

MRI DEFECOGRAPHY

  • Nothing by mouth for four (4) hours prior to arrival
  • Pick up an over-the-counter enema from your local pharmacy and do this two (2) hours prior to your arrival
  • You will wear an adult diaper during the scan as gel will be placed into your rectum and you will be instructed to defecate while on the scanner
  • Plan to be here for approximately one and a half (1.5) hours
  • If you are anxious and/or claustrophobic, please make arrangements with your doctor for medication, and arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home after the exam

MYELOGRAMS

  • Please show up 30 minutes prior to exam start time for check in and preparation
  • Is patient on anticoagulation medications? Need type of medication, as they will be held for a period according to policy and patient's prescribing doctor
  • Need current medication list for contraindications
  • Need a driver
  • Patient will be lying flat on their stomach for the procedure for at least 15 minutes
  • Patient will be required to stay for observation two hours post injection, including CT time.
  • Patient will receive a follow up call the day after their procedure

EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS

  • Please show up 30 minutes prior to exam start time for check in and preparation
  • Is patient on anticoagulation medications? Need type of medication as they will be held for a time period according to policy and patient's prescribing doctor
  • Need a driver
  • Patient will be lying flat on stomach for the procedure for at least 15 minutes
  • Patient will be required to stay for observation if any numbness occurs in the legs; this can be a normal reaction and is temporary

LUMBAR PUNCTURE, SI JOINT INJECTIONS

  • Please show up 30 minutes prior to exam start time for check in and preparation
  • Is patient on anticoagulation medications? Need type of medication as they will be held for a time period according to policy and patients prescribing doctor
  • Patient needs driver
  • Patient will be lying flat on stomach for the procedure for at least 15 minutes
  • The patient will be provided with post care instructions at discharge and will receive a follow up phone call the next day
  • Call the special procedures technologist at Ext 3014 for medication guidelines if patient is on anticoagulation or other medication that may be contraindicated

PET BRAIN

  • Nothing by mouth for 8 hours prior to check in, except water; please stay hydrated
  • Medications: Hold insulin & prednisone for 6 hours -- all other medications OK
  • If you are diabetic and your blood sugars run high (above 150-200 mg/dL, must be below 200) please arrange for medication adjustment with your doctor
  • If you are anxious and/or claustrophobic, please make arrangements with your doctor for medication, and arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home after the exam

PET SKULL BASE TO MID-THIGH & PET WHOLE BODY

  • Nothing by mouth for 8 hours prior to check in, except water; please stay hydrated
  • Medications: Hold insulin & prednisone for 6 hours -- all other medications OK
  • If you are diabetic and your blood sugars run high (above 150-200 mg/dL, must be below 200) please arrange for medication adjustment with your doctor
  • No strenuous activity the day before the exam; walking is fine, no weightlifting or cardio
  • Please follow a high protein/low carb diet 24 hours prior (avoid breads, pasta, sweets; recommend meats & veggies
  • If you are anxious and/or claustrophobic, please make arrangements with your doctor for medication, and arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home after the exam
  • Refrain from wearing any metal day of exam (i.e. jewelry, barrettes, and any clothing with metal zippers or other metal adornments; sports bras are recommended for women)

PET SKULL BASE TO MID-THIGH NETSPOT

  • Nothing by mouth 2 hours prior to check in (food, water, or medications)
  • If you are anxious and/or claustrophobic, please make arrangements with your doctor for medication, and arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home after the exam

 

PET SKULL BASE TO MID-THIGH PYLARIFY & PET WHOLE BODY PYLARIFY

  • Hydrate well a few hours before check in
  • All medications may be taken as normal, no fasting required
  • If you are anxious and/or claustrophobic, please make arrangements with your doctor for medication, and arrange for a family member or friend to drive you