Patient Preparation

PET/CT

  • Do not eat at least 4 hours prior to scan
  • Drink oral contrast agent 1 hour prior to arrival. Mix with 16 oz. of cold water. Consult your physician about obtaining the oral contrast agent.
  • DRINK water! You are encouraged to drink at least 3-4 glasses before arriving for your scan.
  • Do not exercise
  • If diabetic, please take medication in the morning. You may take all other medications as usual (unless required to take with food).
  • Dress comfortably and warmly. Avoid clothing with metal zippers.

CT SCAN

  • A CT SCAN (Computerized Axial Tomography) has been ordered by your doctor.  Most CT SCANS take 15-30 minutes, depending on the type of scan.  Most CT SCANS also require an injection of contrast material into a vein of your arm.
  • In preparation for the procedure, you will be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 hours prior to the scan.  If a scan of your abdomen is ordered, you will be given a packet of EZ Cat.  This is to be mixed with 16 oz. of very cold water and well shaken.  You will drink the mixture 2 hours prior to the scan.           
  • The EZ Cat may be obtained at either your doctor’s office or LVDI.  If neither of these options is feasible for you, then you must arrive at LVDI 2 hours before your scheduled appointment to drink the mixture.
  • If you have ASTHMA (or any history of asthma) or have had a previous reaction to IV contrast, please inform the office staff at the time your study is scheduled.  This will allow us to properly prepare you with medication prior to the time of your test.  Failure to do so may result in rescheduling the appointment.
  • If you are DIABETIC, please inform us if you are taking Metformin, Glucophage,Glucovance Glucotrol, Avandamet,Metaglip or Riomet.You may not take these medications for 48 hours following your test if contrast is given.
  • Normal diet and activity may be resumed after your test. The CT SCAN will be read by one of our Radiologists and the report will be sent to your doctor, so that the findings can be reviewed with you at your next appointment.  If you have any questions prior to your appointment PLEASE call us at 610-435-1600.

Ultrasound

Abdominal

    Day prior to the examination:
  • Do not eat or drink after midnight.
  • Please, NO chewing gum.
    Day of examination:
  • Do not eat or drink anything –not even water – until after your examination is completed.

Aorta

    Day of the examination:
  • No fatty foods and dairy products.
  • No carbonated beverages.
  • No chewing gum.

Extremities for DVT

No preparation required.

Kidneys

No preparation required.

Pelvis - An examination of the uterus, ovaries and bladder

    Day of examination:
  • Drink plenty of noncarbonated liquids.
  • One hour before the scheduled appointment, drink four 8 oz. glasses of water.
  • DO NOT EMPTY YOUR BLADDER.
    The bladder must be full in order to do the examination. You will be able to empty your bladder when the examination is completed.

Superficial Mass

No preparation required.

Testicles

No preparation required.

Thyroid

No preparation required.

Transvaginal

No preparation required. An endovaginal (full pelvic) study must have been completed within the LVHHN network within the calendar year as a baseline.

Upper GI Series & Small Bowel Series

  • On the day prior to examination, you should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight
  • On the day of the examination, do not eat or drink anything until after your examination has been completed During your exam, you will be asked to drink barium. You may also be asked to swallow “fizzies”, a substance that helps to create air in your stomach. Try not to belch, even though you feel like you have to. During the exam, you may need to stand or lie in different positions. After the test is completed you may have to wait to make sure that the x-rays are adequate. The entire exam takes approximately 25 minutes.
  • If your doctor orders a small bowel series separately or with the Upper GI series, please be aware, this exam may take several hours. This exam includes your entire small bowel which is many feet long. The technologist will take timed x-rays to watch the barium travel through your entire small bowel.

IVP

  • NO Breakfast
  • You will need to prepare yourself for the test according to the directions that you received from your doctor’s office. To get the best possible x-rays it is important that your bowel be empty for the test. To assist with that you have been given two laxative tablets (Ducolax).
  • Day prior to the examination
    • NO Breakfast
    • Take the 2 Ducolax (Bisacodyl) tablets by mouth at 4 PM. Please be aware that Ducolax is a laxative
    • Clear liquid supper
    • You are allowed sips of water during the night
  • Day of the examination - Clear Liquid Breakfast
    • Clear liquids include:
    • Coffee or tea with no milk
    • water
    • iced tea
    • clear sodas (Ginger Ale, Sprite, Seven Up)
    • lemonade
    • chicken or beef broth
    • jello (without fruit or vegetables)
    • juices without pulp.
  • Cautions
    • If you have ASTHMA (or any history of asthma) or have had a previous allergic reaction to IV dye (x-ray dye) please inform the office staff at the time your appointment is scheduled, so that proper medication can be given to you prior to the test. Failure to do so may result in rescheduling your test.
    • Also, if you are DIABETIC, please inform us if you are taking GLUCOPHAGE or GLUCOVANCE. You must not take Glucophage or Glucovance for 48 hours following the test.
    • If you are, or think you are, pregnant, you need to inform the technologist before the exam. In this case, your physician will determine if the x-ray is medically necessary for the diagnosis.

Bone Densitometry

  • Avoid calcium supplements for two hours prior to your appointment.
  • Avoid wearing clothing with metal and you may not have to change your clothes
  • If you are, or think you are, pregnant, you need to inform the technologist before the exam. In this case, your physician will determine if the x-ray is medically necessary for the diagnosis.

Barium Enema Air Contrast Enema

  • You will need to prepare yourself for the test by following the instructions in this Barium Enema Prep Kit. The prep begins at 7:00 a.m. the day before the examination. This preparation will clean your colon so that the enema may be done. If you do not follow the instructions the study may be rescheduled.

©2010 Lehigh Valley Diagnostic Imaging
610-435-1600
1230 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. #104
Allentown, PA 18103

©2010 Lehigh Valley Health Network
610-402-CARE
Toll Free: 1-888-LVH-CARE
Cedar Crest & I-78, P.O. Box 689
Allentown, PA 18105-1556

Lehigh Valley Diagnostic Imaging is part of Lehigh Valley Health Network, which includes three full-service hospitals in Allentown and Bethlehem, Pa., community health centers in eight counties, primary care and specialty physician offices throughout the region, pharmacies, imaging services, home health and hospice, community clinics, lab services and preferred provider services.

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