Procedures and Preparations
Please consult the charts below for some of the more common procedures and the details related to preparing for your appointment. For more detailed information about Diagnostic Imaging procedures, please visit www.radiologyinfo.org or contact the JBH Diagnostic Imaging Department at 905-336-4126.
|
Procedure |
Preparation |
Time for Procedure |
|
BMD Procedure |
No preparation required. Please contact the DI Department if you had a Nuclear Medicine Scan, Barium Exam or Contrast Injection within the last 2 weeks |
30 minutes |
|
Procedure |
Preparation |
Time for Procedure | ||
|
CT Head |
Do not eat or drink 1 hour prior to your test |
15 minutes | ||
|
CT Head with contrast |
IV Contrast will be injected at time of examination. Consent will be obtained. |
15 minutes | ||
|
CT Abdomen/Pelvis |
Patient to pick up oral x-ray contrast any day prior to exam.Night before exam: at 10 pm mix the 1st package of oral contrast in blender with 500 ml of non-carbonated juice and drink.Day of Exam: Do not eat 4 hours prior to exam. Mix second package of contrast with 500 ml of non-carbonated juice and drink 2 Hours prior to your appointment time.IV contrast may be injected at the time of exam. Consent will be obtained. |
30 minutes | ||
|
*METFORMIN. If Patient is on Metformin, they must not take it for 2 days AFTER the procedure and blood work (creatinine) must be checked before resuming Metformin | ||||
|
CT Spines |
No preparation required. |
15 minutes | ||
|
CT Biopsy |
You will be contacted by a nurse prior to your exam that will explain the procedure to you and advise you as to the required preparation. Blood work will be done here the morning of the exam. |
1 hour | ||
|
CT Chest |
IV contrast will be injected at the time of examination. Consent will be obtained. |
15 minutes | ||
|
CT KUB |
No preparation required. |
10 minutes | ||
|
Procedure |
Preparation |
Time for Procedure |
|
Barium Meal / UGI |
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight, prior to exam |
30-45 minutes |
|
Barium Enema |
Follow preparation sheet provided, including clear fluid for 2 days before exam and laxatives to be taken as ordered. |
1 hour |
|
Small Bowel Follow Through |
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight, prior to exam |
1-4 hours |
|
Small Bowel Follow Through with pneumocolon |
Follow preparation sheet provided, including clear fluid for 2 days before exam and laxatives to be taken as ordered |
1-4 hours |
|
Void Cystogram |
Empty bladder before examination |
1 hour |
|
Joint Injection - including shoulder & hip injection |
No preparation |
1 hour |
|
Procedure |
Preparation |
Time for Procedure | ||
|
Femoral/Renal |
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight evening prior to exam. May take a.m. meds with clear fluids. |
Patient is admitted to Day Surgery 2 hours prior to procedure.Approximately 4 hours. | ||
|
Route: Arm or groin |
Insulin dependent diabetics only should take their insulin with a light breakfast on morning of the procedure. |
Patient is admitted to Day Surgery 2 hours prior to exam. | ||
|
*METFORMIN. If Patient is on Metformin, they must not take it for 2 days AFTER the procedure and blood work (creatinine) must be checked before resuming Metformin. | ||||
|
Biopsy |
You will be contacted by a nurse prior to your exam that will explain the procedure to you and advise you as to the required preparation. Blood work will be done here the morning of the exam. |
1 hour | ||
|
Procedure |
Preparation |
Time for Procedure |
|
Routine Mammography |
Avoid using powder or deodorant on day of exam |
30 minutes |
|
Breast Needle Localization |
Same as above |
45 minutes |
|
Breast Biopsy |
Do not take aspirin or Coumadin 5 days prior to biopsy |
1 hour |
|
Procedure |
Preparation |
Time for Procedure |
|
Head |
No preparation |
20-40 minutes |
|
Spine |
No preparation |
20-60 minutes |
|
Abdomen/Liver |
Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to procedure |
45 minutes |
|
Kidneys |
Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to procedure |
45 minutes |
** Please note - We are unable to do MRI if you have a Pacemaker, Brain Aneurysm clip, Cochlear Implant or Neuro-Stimulator **
- You may require an injection of MRI contrast (Gadolinium) at which time consent would be obtained.
- If patient has a history of working with metal, orbital x-rays must be taken.
Nuclear Medicine:
- For all procedures please bring a list of your current medications and supplements with you.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding please inform your physician before proceeding to your Nuclear Medicine Appointment. Please be advised that a technologist will explain your test to you in detail upon your arrival. Injections are given by using a vein in your arm. Pictures are taken lying down on our imaging bed. You will be able to drive and return to work after our procedures.
|
Procedure |
Preparation |
Time for Procedure |
Description |
|
Bone scan |
No preparation |
2 visits required on the same day. 1st visit: 15 minutes, injection. 2nd visit: 45-75 minutes required. |
You will return 2-3 hours after first visit for pictures of your bones.You may leave hospital between 1st and 2nd visit. |
|
Biliary Scan (Gallbladder) |
Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to test |
Up to 2 visits required. 1st visit: 60-90 minutes. 2nd visit: if required |
Injection and pictures of your gallbladder. The technologist will discuss with you if a second visit is required. |
|
Myocardial Perfusion Scan (Cardiac Scan) |
Nothing to eat for 4 hours prior.No caffeine products for 24 hours prior (coffee, tea, chocolate, pop).Please follow your doctor's instructions regarding your medications; you may use water to take these medications.If you are diabetic please contact us at 905-336-4101. |
Up to 2 visits required. 1st visit: 2-4 hours. 2nd visit:approx. 25 minutes |
Injection and scan. Your doctor has ordered a stress test for you; this will be done by treadmill exercise or with use of a medication. A second visit may be required. At this time another scan will be performed lasting approximately 25 minutes. |
|
Cardiac Wall Motion (RNA or Muga Scan) |
No preparation |
One visit: 60 minutes |
Injection administered and pictures of your heart are taken |
|
Gallium Scan |
No preparation |
1st visit: 15 minutes. 2nd visit: 2 hours. |
Injection. Scan, the second visit takes place two days after the injection. |
|
White Blood Cell Scan (Infection Imaging) |
Please ensure that a clean dressing is applied to your wound for each day of your test.Your test will take place over 2 consecutive days. |
1st visit: 30 minutes 2nd visit: 15 minutes 3rd visit: 30 minutes 4th visit: 30 minutes |
Blood sample is withdrawn from a vein in your arm, allow 30 minutes. Approximately 3 hours later an injection is given into a vein in your arm, 15 minutes. Approximately 3 hours later pictures are taken of the area of concern, 30-40 minutes. The next morning more pictures are taken of the area of concern, 30-40 minutes. |
|
Liver Spleen Scan |
No preparation |
One visit - Up to 90 minutes. |
An injection is given and pictures are taken of your liver and spleen. |
|
Liver Scan for Hemangioma |
No preparation |
1st visit: Up to 60 minutes. 2nd visit: 60 minutes |
A blood sample is taken and labeled with a radioactive tracer. Your blood sample is re-injected into a vein in your arm and pictures are taken of your liver. 2 hours after the injection is given you will return for more pictures.You may eat and drink in-between, you may leave the hospital. |
|
Lung Scan |
No preparation |
One visit - Up to 2 hours |
You may be asked to have a chest x-ray prior to your appointment.Pictures are taken of your lungs after inhalation of a radioactive aerosol.A second set of pictures are taken of your lungs after an injection is given into a vein in your arm.You will be asked to wait while a radiologist reviews your pictures. |
|
Parathyroid Scan |
No preparation |
1st visit: Up to 60 minutes. 2nd visit: 15 minutes. |
An injection is given into a vein in your arm. Pictures will then be taken of your parathyroid gland located in your neck area. 3 hours after your injection you will return for more pictures.You may eat and drink in-between, you may leave the hospital. |
|
Renal Scan (Kidney Scan) |
Please drink 2 glasses of water one hour prior to your appointment. You do NOT have to arrive with a full bladder. |
One visit - Up to 2 hours |
An injection is given into a vein in your arm. Pictures are taken of your kidneys.You may be given a medication during your test called Lasix. This allows us to do further imaging of your kidneys. |
|
Renal Scan with Captopril |
Please drink 2 glasses of water one hour prior to your appointment. You do NOT have to arrive with a full bladder.Please call us if you are taking blood pressure medications, 905-336-4101. |
One visit - Up to 2 1/2 hours. |
A technologist will call you to discuss your appointment prior to your arrival. |
|
Thyroid Uptake and Scan |
Please follow your doctors instructions regarding all of your medications, if unsure please contact your doctor’s office.Please do not eat or drink for 2 hours prior to your 1st appointment. |
1st visit: 15 minutes. 2nd visit: 30 minutes |
Your test will take place over two visits on two consecutive days.You will be given a small drink that will take overnight to absorb into your thyroid. We use this drink to take pictures of your thyroid. |
|
Procedure |
Preparation |
Time for Procedure |
|
Abdominal Ultrasound |
Nothing to eat or drink 12 hours prior to the procedure. |
30 minutes |
|
Abdomen & Pelvis US |
Nothing to eat 12 hours prior. Drink 40 oz. of water 2 hours prior to exam. Do not empty bladder. |
1 hour |
|
Biopsy AbdominalBiopsy ChestBiopsy KidneyBiopsy Liver |
Nothing to eat after midnight. Lab work to be completed prior to procedure. Must stop aspirin or blood thinners 5 days prior to procedure. |
1 hour - Must remain after the biopsy for 4 hours in day surgery. |
|
Biopsy Neck |
Must stop taking aspirin 5 days prior to procedure. |
30 minutes |
|
Breast |
None |
30 minutes |
|
US Breast Needle Localization |
Avoid using powder or deodorant on day of exam. |
45 minutes |
|
Chest |
None |
40 minutes |
|
Groin |
None |
40 minutes |
|
Doppler Abdomen |
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight prior to procedure. |
1 hour |
|
Doppler Venous Legs |
None |
40 minutes |
|
Doppler Venous Arms |
None |
40 minutes |
|
Head/ Neuro |
None |
40 minutes |
|
Kidneys/Bladder |
Nothing to eat after midnight, Drink 40 oz of water 2 hours prior to exam. Do not empty bladder. |
40 minutes |
|
Neck |
None |
40 minutes |
|
Pelvic |
Drink 40 oz. of water 1 hour prior to exam. Do not empty bladder. |
40 minutes |
|
Pregnancy Early |
Drink 40 oz. of water 1 hour prior to the exam. Do not empty bladder. |
40 minutes |
|
Pregnancy Late |
Drink 20 oz. of water 1 hour prior to exam. Do not empty bladder. |
40 minutes |
Joseph Brant Hospital 
Burlington, ON 905-632-3737
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