Medical Imaging, Specialty-Trained Radiologists, Sports Medicine, Women's Imaging, Neuroradiology, Desert Valley Radiology | Phoenix, Arizona

Exam Prep

Preparing for an exam depends on the type of exam you are having. Not all exams require special preparation. If you don’t see your exam listed below it is likely for this reason. If you do not see your exam listed and you have additional questions please contact us.

General Guidelines

For the Day of Your Exam

  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your exam, unless otherwise notified. This will allow time to confirm your insurance information and fill out any necessary paperwork.
  • Bring your insurance card with you and be sure to notify us if there have been any changes to your insurance or if you have moved since the last time you visited one of our facilities.
  • If you were given a request form by your doctor’s office please bring it with you to your appointment. If you are scheduled for an annual, screening mammogram, a new referral form may not be needed.
  • Wear loose, comfortable, metal-free clothing; and be prepared to change into a patient gown if necessary.
  • Call ahead to discuss any special needs you have, such as physical limitations.
  • Bring any prior x-rays or scans with you that pertain to this exam. If a comparison is necessary, these films may be helpful to our Radiologists.
  • Notify the Technologist if you are pregnant or if there is any chance you may be
  • For all exams, medications may be taken in the morning prior to your exam with a small sip of water.

MRI

  • Patients may eat and take medications as they normally would, unless directed otherwise by a physician.
  • Patients should wear clothing without any metal clips, ties or belts.
  • Because MRI uses a strong magnetic field, please notify us prior to your exam if you have a pacemaker, artificial heart valve or any other metal inside your body. Additionally any jewelry or body piercings will need to be removed.

CT – Toshiba Multi-Slice Scanners

Water Prep

For patients with the following diagnosis: Pain, Abnormal Labs, Routine Exams, Masses or Cysts:

  • Patient must drink 64 ounces of water 2 hours prior to the exam (Patient should finish drinking 2 hours prior to the exam). It is ok for the patient to void.

Exceptions If the patient has the following diagnosis they should follow the exception prep below.

R/O Appendicitis, Chrons Disease, Enterography, Colitis, Diverticulitis and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

Exception Prep

  • If the exam is before noon the patient should drink the 1st bottle of contrast material prior to going to bed, between 8-9pm, no later than 10pm. Patient must drink 1/2 of the second bottle one hour prior to the appointment. They should bring the other half to the appointment and the tech will let them know when to drink it.
  • If the patient is scheduled after 12:00pm they should drink the first bottle of contrast material between 7-8am and one half of the 2nd bottle one hour before the appointment time and the other half of the bottle they should bring to their appointment and the tech will let them know when to drink it.

IVP/CT Urograms

Patients with the following diagnosis, Hematuria, Microhematuria should use the following prep:

  • Drink 16 ounces of water 20 minutes prior to the exam and do not void. They will be drinking the water at the office so make sure you provide them drinking water.

CTA

  • Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior to the exam

CT of the Brain

  • Nothing by mouth 2 hours prior to examination unless the exam is an emergency. (Exam time 15-30 min.)

CT of the Neck or CT of the Chest

  • Nothing by mouth 3 hours prior to exam. (Exam time 30 min. – 1 hour)

CT of the Abdomen or Pelvis

  • Have patient come by the office for barium mixture to drink day prior to the study. Nothing by mouth except for the barium preparation 3 hours prior to exam. (Exam time 1 hour)

CT of the Paranasal Sinuses

  • (Exam time 15 min.)

CT of the Cervical or Lumbar Spine

  • Patient should be able to tolerate laying flat and still for 1 hour. Patient may take medications prior to exam if there is chronic pain. (Exam time 1 hour)

Mammogram

  • It is best to schedule your mammogram the week after your period when the breast are less tender.
  • Advise the Technologist if you have any particular symptoms or can describe an abnormality. Also, be sure to mention any family history of breast cancer.
  • Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder, or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam. These products can often mimic breast disease.
  • Before the exam, you will be asked to remove all jewelry and clothing from the waist up. You will be given a gown to wear that opens in the front
  • If you have breast implants, let us know when you make your appointment so we can optimize your exam.

Ultrasound

Abdominal Ultrasound (Including Liver, Bile Ducts, Gallbladder, Aorta, Renal and Pancreas)

  • Nothing to eat or drink after midnight for morning examinations. 6 hours fasting prior to afternoon exams. (Exam time 30 to 45 min.)

Pelvic Ultrasound and First Trimester OB Studies

  • 2 hours before your appointment start drinking 48 oz. of water and complete drinking 1 hour prior to the exam time and keep bladder full. (Exam time 30 to 45 min.)

Second and Third Trimester Ultrasound

  • 2 hours before your appointment start drinking 32 oz. of water and complete drinking 1 hour prior to the exam time and keep bladder full. (Exam time 30 to 45 min.)

Fluoroscopy

Upper G.I. Series / Small Bowel Follow-Through

  • Nothing by mouth after midnight. For patients having exams after 12:00 P.M., 6 hours of nothing by mouth is okay. (Exam time 30 min. for G.I.,1-3 hours for small bowel.)

Esophagram

  • This test studies the Esophagus only (food tube) and not the stomach or intestine. Nothing by mouth 2 hours prior. (Exam time 30 min.)

Barium Enema / Barium Enema with Air Contrast

  • Fleet Prep. Kit #1 for bowel cleaning. Follow instructions in the box, available through our office or at a pharmacy, for 48-hour preparation. (Exam time 45 minutes. No food or drink 2 hours prior to exam.)

IVP

  • Fleet Prep. Kit #1 Nothing by mouth after midnight.

Pediatric Examinations

  • For all children 13 years or younger, please call the office for exam preparation. If mother is pregnant they need another adult accompanying child during procedure.

Image Guided Biopsy

  • Patients having biopsies and aspirations may be required to refrain from their present medications. Please discuss all of your medications with your doctor or with our staff prior to your procedure. Do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the exam.