3T Large Bore MRI | Multi Slice CT | Ultrasound | Digital X-Ray
AMI offers the highest quality diagnostic imaging in a caring environment

CT Patient Preparations:

The following CT scans require no special preparation before the scan:

  • Cervical Spine
  • Sinus
  • Thoracic Spine
  • Extremities (Legs, Arms)
  • Lumbar Spine
  • Head/Brain

CT OF ABDOMEN AND/OR PELVIS

Abdomen and/or Pelvis Exams are always scheduled with both oral and Intravenous (IV) contrast unless:

  • We are looking for kidney stones - (no contrast is used)
  • Patient is scheduled for CT urogram with IV contrast (NPO for 4 hours prior to CT. Drink 24 oz. of water 1 hour prior to exam - no oral contrast)
  • Patient is scheduled for CT angiogram (no oral contrast prep - IV contrast only)
  • The Patient's referring physician has indicated no oral and/or IV contrast

GENERAL PREPARATION FOR ABDOMEN AND/OR PELVIS EXAMS WITH ORAL AND/OR IV CONTRAST

  • Do not eat for 4 hours prior to your appointment time, and drink only water during the 4 hours prior to your appointment time. However, you are allowed to take your daily medicines with a small amount of water. (Diabetics taking insulin can keep your usual routine, except no dairy products for 4 hours prior to your CT scan)
  • We may need blood tests prior to your exam - please call our imaging center for instructions

Oral Contrast Prep:

Arrive 1.5 hours in advance of appointment your scan time for CT of the pelvis or abdomen and pelvis, and you will be given oral contrast to drink prior to the exam. Alternatively, you may pick up the bottle of contrast to drink in advance at home. Your arrival time will instead be 30 minutes before the scan time.

30 minutes prior to the scan time, you may be given more contrast to drink, and then one more cup just before scanning, depending upon the exam. This will ensure that the contrast will illuminate areas from the floor of the pelvis to the upper abdomen.

If your exam requires it, IV contrast material will be injected into a vein in your arm to better define the blood vessels and organs. This helps us to differentiate between normal and abnormal tissues.

CT OF THE ABDOMEN FOR KIDNEY STONES - (No contrast)

Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to the scan time, except that you may have clear food/drinks such as water, Jell-O or applesauce - daily medications are ok with a small amount of water

CT OF THE CHEST with IV Contrast

IV contrast material is injected into a vein in your arm to better define the blood vessels of your lungs and mediastinum.

Do not eat for 4 hours prior to the CT scan and drink water only during these 4 hours (Daily medications ok with a small amount of water)

CT OF CHEST, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS WITH BOTH ORAL AND IV CONTRAST

see Abdomen and/or CT preparation above. Oral contrast helps us to see your stomach, small intestine and your colon (even if these organs are not the primary reason for your CT exam).

CT OF HEAD with IV Contrast

Head CT scans are performed with IV contrast material. This intravenous contrast material is injected into a vein in your arm to better define the blood vessels.

Do not eat for 4 hours prior to the CT scan and drink water only during these 4 hours (Daily medications ok with a small amount of water)

NECK CT SCAN (SOFT TISSUE) with IV contrast

Neck CT scans are performed with IV contrast material. This intravenous contrast material is injected into a vein in your arm to better define the blood vessels .

Do not eat for 4 hours prior to the CT Scan and drink water only during these 4 hours (Daily medications ok with small amount of water)

A CT scan CANNOT be done at our imaging center on a patient with the following conditions:

  • Pregnancy
  • For IV contrast studies: Previous allergic reaction to iodine contrast
  • For IV contrast studies: History of acute renal failure or uremia
  • For IV contrast studies: Lab results indicating low creatinine levels – poor renal function

For diabetics taking insulin who are having an IV contrast study:

Keep your usual routine except no dairy products for 4 hours prior to your exam

For diabetics taking Glucophage or other oral medication who are having an IV contrast study:

Please call for special instructions about your medication schedule after the IV contrast study.