Patient's Overview
- Bone Density Screening
- CAT Scan Screening
- Consent for Pregnant X-rays
- Contrast Consent
- HIPPA Privacy Practice-ENG
- HIPPA Privacy Practice-SPA
- Mammography Screening Form
- MRI Screening Form
- Patient Information Form
- US ABD-REN-RET
- US Breast-Testicle-Thyroid
- US Carotid-Venous-Arterial
- US Obstetrical-Biophysical Profile
- US Pelvic Questionaire
- US Prep
You CANNOT be examined by MRI if you have:
- Cardiac Pacemaker
- Cardioverter Defibrillators
- Aneurysm clips in the brain
- Cochlear (Ear) implants
- Implanted spinal cord stimulator
- Metallic fragments in one or both eyes
- Breast tissue expanders with magnetic port
- Implanted Insulin pump
- Any implemented electrical device
CT (Computed Tomography) or CAT Scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the body. During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the body area being studied. Each rotation of the scanner takes less than a second and provides a picture of a thin slice of the organ or area. All of the pictures are saved as a group on a computer. They also can be printed.
An iodine dye (contrast material) is often used to make structures and organs easier to see on the CT pictures. The dye may be used to check blood flow, find tumors, and look for other problems. The dye can be used in different ways. It may be put in a vein (IV) in your arm, or it may be placed into other parts of your body (such as the rectum or a joint) to see those areas better. For some types of CT scans you drink the dye. CT pictures may be taken before and after the dye is used.
Below are instructions regarding what you need to do to prepare for specific exams.
CT ABDOMEN & PELVIS
• Day Prior to Exam: No preparation required.
• Day of Exam: DO NOT eat food 4 hours before your appointment. DO drink water at any time. DO take all medications as prescribed by your physician. DO wear comfortable, loose clothing, free from metal objects. Drink 12-16 oz. of water 1 hour prior to procedure. DO bring any insulin or inhalers you use to your appointment. Drink 1 bottle of water 15 minutes before scheduled appointment time.
Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic imaging refers to the techniques and processes used to create images of the human body (or parts thereof) for clinical purposes (medical procedures seeking to reveal, diagnose or examine disease). Diagnostic imaging uses ionizing radiation to aid in the diagnosis of pathology within the human body. Radiographs or computerized images are created with X-rays to evaluate many bony and soft tissue structures.
Fluoroscopy is a special test that uses a steady beam of X-rays to look at movement within the body. It allows the doctor to see your organs move or to guide a biopsy needle or other instrument into the right place inside your body.
Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology is a sub-specialty of radiology in which minimally invasive procedures are performed using image guidance.
Below are specific instructions regarding what you need to do to prepare for an exam.
ANGIOGRAM
• Day Prior to Exam: No preparation required.
• Day of Exam: DO take medications you normally take, especially blood pressure medications. DO NOT eat anything for 6 hours prior to exam time. If you are diabetic, let the scheduler know when you schedule your procedure, and just take half of your normal dose of insulin if you normally take it before the time of your appointment.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body. In many cases, MRI gives different information about structures in the body than can be seen with an X-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan. MRI also may show problems that cannot be seen with other imaging methods.
For an MRI test, the area of the body being studied is placed inside a special machine that contains a strong magnet. Pictures from an MRI scan are digital images that can be saved and stored on a computer for more study. The images also can be reviewed remotely, such as in a clinic or an operating room. In some cases, contrast material may be used during the MRI scan to show certain structures more clearly.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine scans use a special camera (gamma) to take pictures of tissues and organs in the body after a low dose radioactive tracer (radionuclide or radioisotope) is put in a vein in the arm and is absorbed by the tissues and organs. The radioactive tracer shows the activity and function of the tissues or organs.
Each type of tissue that may be scanned (including bones, organs, glands, and blood vessels) uses a different radioactive compound as a tracer. The tracer remains in the body temporarily before it is passed in the urine or stool (feces). You may be asked to complete a stress test after your scan.
Below are specific instructions regarding what you need to do to prepare for an exam.
GATED BLOOD POOL
• On Day Prior to Exam: No preparation required.
• Day of Exam: No preparation required.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE CARDIAC PERFUSION STUDY
• On Day Prior to Exam: DO NOT drink caffeine (coffee, tea, cocoa, decaf, soda) for 24 hours before your appointment.
• Day of Exam: DO NOT eat food 4 hours before your appointment. DO drink water at any time. Discuss with your doctor which medications you should discontinue. DO wear comfortable, loose clothing, free from metal objects. DO NOT wear jewelry. DO wear flat, rubber-soled shoes.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a test that uses reflected sound waves to produce an image of organs and other structures in the body. It does not use X-rays or other types of possibly harmful radiation.
For ultrasound testing, gel or oil is applied to the skin to help transmit the sound waves. A small, handheld instrument called a transducer is passed back and forth over the area of the body that is being examined. The transducer sends out high-pitched sound waves (above the range of human hearing) that are reflected back to the transducer. A computer analyzes the reflected sound waves and converts them into a picture that is displayed on a TV screen. The picture produced by ultrasound is called a sonogram, echogram, or ultrasound scan. Pictures or videos of the ultrasound images may be made for a permanent record.
Below are specific instructions regarding what you need to do to prepare for an exam.
ABDOMINAL AORTA ULTRASOUND
• On Day Prior to Exam: No preparation required.
• Day of Exam: DO NOT eat food 8 hours prior to the exam. DO drink water at any time. DO take all medications as prescribed by physician. DO bring to your appointment any insulin or inhalers you use. DO wear comfortable and loose fitting clothing.