Procedures and Preparations

Common procedures and how to prepare

For more detailed information about Diagnostic Imaging procedures, please visit radiologyinfo.org or contact the Diagnostic Imaging department at 905-336-4126.

 Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD):

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

 

CT - Computed Tomography

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 the exam as per Physician’s directions.
  • Do not eat or drink 4 hours prior to your examination. 
  • 90 mins prior to appointment time, mix 20ml Gastrografin in 1000ml (32oz.) of non-carbonated clear liquid of water and drink.
  • 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 

 

 Fluoroscopy / Gastrics:

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

 

Interventional
ProcedurePreparationTime 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 
Mammography
ProcedurePreparationTime 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

 

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
ProcedurePreparationTime 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.
  • 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.
Nuclear Medicine

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. 
Ultrasound

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 

Contact Us:

Joseph Brant Hospital
1230 North Shore Blvd.
Burlington, ON L7S 1W7

Numbers

P: 905-632-3737

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