Patient Instructions

Radiology Patient Test Preps and Instructions

Many imaging examinations require that patients prepare themselves ahead of time to obtain the best imaging possible.

You should be told about any special preparation when your examination is scheduled. You can review a list of preparations for various outpatient examinations on our web page under Radiology Test Preps and instructions. Preparation for inpatients occurs in the hospital, ordered by your doctor, and hospital nurses will direct you in the preparation.

Typical examinations requiring special patient preparation include:

  1. Most ultrasound, CT, and MR scans
  2. Special procedures, angiography, neuroradiology, myelography, and interventional examinations
  3. Most GI and GU examinations including IVP (intravenous pyelogram, intravenous urogram), studies of the esophagus, stomach (upper GI) and colon (barium enema)
  4. Mammography (breast imaging).


Please check with our scheduling desks during regular business hours if you have any questions about your preparation.