Patient Preparation Guides

To prepare for your prostate MRI, please follow the instructions below:

• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time.
• Purchase the following over-the-counter medications:
– Fleet Enema
– Gas X Tablets
• Eat a light diet the day before your appointment. Avoid any heavy foods such as pasta, steak or strong spices that can cause digestive disturbances.
• Take (1) Gas X tablet the night before your appointment.
• On the day of your appointment, take (1) Gas X tablet when you wake up. Use the Fleet Enema 2 hours prior to your appointment.
• Do not eat or drink anything 3 hours before your appointment.

To prepare for your MRI, please follow the instructions below:  

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t contain any metal such as belts, jewelry, buttons, or zippers.
• Based on the specific details for your exam, you may be asked to avoid drinking and/or eating for a period of time prior to your appointment. For all contrast studies, please avoid eating and drinking starting 12 hours before your appointment time.
• If you have any metal implants or devices in your body including cardiac devices or hearing aids, please inform our staff or your physician.
• All glucose monitors must be removed prior to your MRI.

To prepare for a CT colonoscopy, please follow the instructions below:

• Purchase the following over-the-counter medications:
– Magnesium Citrate – (1) 10 ounce bottle, if you are unable to get magnesium citrate, please purchase a 225g bottle of Miralax / Dulcolax suppository.
– Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) – (4) 5MG tablets
– Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) – (1) suppository
• Before starting your preparation, you must obtain one bottle of Barium Mixture from the South Jersey Radiology in which you are having the study performed.

Preferred Preparation with Magnesium Citrate:

• Maintain a low fiber diet starting two days prior to your appointment.
• On the day before your appointment, follow these instructions:
– 8:00 AM Have a clear liquid breakfast without milk products. This meal may include: clear broth or bullion, clear or strained fruit juices such as grape or apple juice, clear jello or gelatin, black coffee or tea with sugar, but without milk or milk products, non-carbonated beverages, orange, raspberry, or lemon ice (no sherbet). No milk products, fruits, or vegetables.
– 12:00 PM Have a clear liquid lunch without milk products (adhering to the guidelines above).
– 1:00 PM Drink a full (1) 8 ounce glass of water
– 2:00 PM Drink a full (1) 8 ounce glass of water
– 3:00 PM Drink a full (1) 8 ounce glass of water
– 4:00 PM Drink the bottle of Magnesium Citrate. This can be chilled to make it easier to drink. You should also drink a full (1) 8 ounce glass of water.
– 5:00 PM Have a clear liquid supper, following the same guidelines as breakfast and lunch
– 6:00 PM Drink 8 ounces of the Barium mixture (half of the bottle) and 8 ounces of water. Please discard the remainder of the Barium mixture.
– 8:00 PM Take the (4) Dulcolax tablets with 8 ounces of water. Do not chew the tablets. These tablets usually produce a bowel movement in 6 – 12 hours.
– After 8:00 PM Do not eat or drink anything. Any required medication can be taken with a small amount of water.
• On the day of your appointment, follow these instructions:
– Do not eat or drink anything.
– Any required medication can be taken with a small amount of water.
– Two hours before your appointment, please insert the Dulcolax suppository into the rectum by gently pushing it in as far as possible. Try to keep the suppository in for 20 minutes even if the urge for evacuation is strong. Bowel evacuation usually occurs within 15 – 60 minutes.

Alternative Preparation with Miralax:

• Maintain a low fiber diet two days prior to your appointment. Mix entire contents of Miralax with 64 ounces of clear liquid (Gatorade, Crystal Lite) and chill.
• On the day before your appointment, follow these instructions:
– 8:00 AM Have a clear liquid breakfast without milk products. This meal may include: clear broth or bullion, clear or strained fruit juices such as grape or apple juice, clear jello or gelatin, black coffee or tea with sugar, but without milk or milk products, non-carbonated beverages, orange, raspberry, or lemon ice (no sherbet). No milk products, fruits, or vegetables.
– 12:00 PM Have a clear liquid lunch without milk products (adhering to the guidelines above).
– 1:00 PM Drink a full (1) 8 ounce glass of water
– 2:00 PM Drink a full (1) 8 ounce glass of water
– 3:00 PM Drink a full (1) 8 ounce glass of water
– 4:00 PM Drink a full (1) 8 ounce glass of water
– 5:00 PM Drink 8 ounces of Miralax mixture. Continue drinking 8 ounces every 15 minutes until it is finished.
– 7:00 PM Drink 8 ounces of the Barium mixture (half of the bottle) and 8 ounces of water. Please discard the remainder of the Barium mixture.
– After 8:00 PM Do not eat or drink anything. Any required medication can be taken with a small amount of water.
• On the day of your appointment, follow these instructions:
– Do not eat or drink anything.
– Any required medication can be taken with a small amount of water.
– Two hours before your appointment, please insert the Dulcolax suppository into the rectum by gently pushing it in as far as possible. Try to keep the suppository in for 20 minutes even if the urge for evacuation is strong. Bowel evacuation usually occurs within 15 – 60 minutes.

To prepare for your Coronary CTA, please follow these instructions below:

Please Arrive:
• 60 minutes before your appointment.

Exam Preparation:
• 12 Hours Prior: Do not drink any products with caffeine (like coffee, tea, or soda). You must also abstain from the decaf version of these products.
• 2 Hours Prior: Nothing to eat. You may continue to drink water.

Special Instructions:
• Medications: You can take all your medications as prescribed, including your beta blockers.

General Instructions:
• Bring your prescription, photo ID, and insurance card.
• We will collect any co-pay, co-insurance, or deductible upon arrival.
• Do not bring jewelry or valuables.
• If you bring small children, please have another adult accompany you.
• If you develop a cough or fever, please wear a mask to your appointment.

To prepare for your CT scan, please follow the instructions below:  

• Please arrive fifteen minutes prior to your appointment.
• Wear comfortable and loose clothing that doesn’t contain any metal including jewelry, belts, or buttons.
• Avoid eating or drinking in the hours prior to your CT scan. Based on the specific details for your exam, our staff at South Jersey Radiology will provide specific time periods to restrict eating or drinking.
• If you have any specific medical conditions or medications you take, please inform your physician or the staff at South Jersey Radiology.

To prepare for your ultrasound, please follow these instructions below:  

• Be sure to arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment.
• If we are looking at your liver, gallbladder, spleen, or pancreases, have a light, low-fat dinner the night before your appointment. Also, please don’t eat or drink anything for at least 12 hours before your appointment.
• For a pelvic ultrasound, it is important to have a full bladder. Drink about 6 8-ounce glasses of water, finishing an hour before your appointment. Try not to use the bathroom before your appointment. 
• If we are focusing on your kidneys, we might ask you to drink 4 – 6 glasses of water about an hour before your appointment. 
• If we are checking your aorta, please avoid eating for at least 8 hours before you appointment.

To prepare for your fluoroscopy with barium enema study, please follow these instructions below:

Please Arrive:
• Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.

Exam Preparation:
• Please discuss this preparation with your referring doctor if you have chronic diarrhea, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) such as Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns Disease, or large amount of rectal bleeding.

2 Days Before:
• 1 Miralax bottle (225g)
• 1 Dulcolax suppository
• Mix the Miralax with 64 oz of clear liquid (Gatorade, crystal lite – NOT RED OR PURPLE) and chill overnight.

Day Before Exam:
• 8:00 AM: Clear liquids only for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This includes:
•  Water, fruit juice (no pulp), clear broth, tea, or coffee (no milk)
•  Jello, Gatorade, and ice popsicles (NOT RED OR PURPLE)
•  No milk, cream, or carbonated beverages
• 12:00 PM: Clear liquids for lunch.
• 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Drink 6 to 8, 8 ounces glasses of clear liquid.
• 5:00 PM: Begin drinking the Miralax mixture:
•  8 ounces every 15 minutes until finished (takes about 2 hours).
• 7:00 PM: Clear liquids for dinner.

Morning of the Exam:
• Take any oral medications with a small amount of water
• 2 Hours Before Exam: Insert the Dulcolax suppository:
•  Lie on your side, elevate your thigh, and insert as far as possible.
•  Try to keep it in for 20 minutes, even if you feel the urge to evacuate.
•  Bowel evacuation typically occurs within 15-60 minutes.

Special Instructions:
• If you take insulin: Consult your doctor about adjusting yours dose. You should not take insulin if you are fasting for your exam; however, you should bring insulin with you so you can take it after your exam if directed by your doctor.

General Instructions:
• Bring your prescription, photo ID, and insurance card.
• We will collect any co-pay, co-insurance, or deductible upon arrival.
• Do not bring jewelry or valuables.
• If you bring small children, please have another adult accompany you.
• If you develop a cough or fever, please wear a mask to your appointment.

To prepare for your X-ray, please follow these instructions below:   

Please Arrive:
• Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.

Exam Preparation:
• No special preparation is required for this exam.

Special Instructions:
• Wear loose-fitting clothing free of accessories, including jewelry, belts, zippers, buttons, glitter, or any metal objects.

General Instructions:
• Bring your prescription, photo ID, and insurance card.
• We will collect any co-pay, co-insurance, or deductible upon arrival.
• Do not bring jewelry or valuables.
• If you bring small children, please have another adult accompany you.
• If you develop a cough or fever, please wear a mask to your appointment.

To prepare for your Amyloid Brain PET/CT, please follow these instructions below:    

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
• You do not need to make any changes to your diet and may continue any current medications prior to your appointment.
• No specific clothing is required. We recommend loose-fitting clothing to keep yourself comfortable.

To prepare for your PSMA PET/CT, please follow these instructions below: 

• Please drink 16 ounces of water 1 hour prior to the appointment.
• You do not need to fast or restrict any activity for this study
• Please wear comfortable clothing without any metal (i.e. zippers, buckles, and snaps)

To prepare for your PET/CT, please follow these instructions below:    

• Please follow a low carbohydrate diet starting 24 hours prior to your appointment. Avoid the following carbohydrates / sugars:
– Bread
– Bagels
– Cereal
– Cookies
– Toast
– Pasta
– Crackers
– Muffins
– Peanut Butter
– Fruit
– Fruit Juices
– Potatoes
– Rice
– Cornbread
– Carrots
– Beets
– Corn
– Candy
– Cakes
– Pies
– Chewing Gum
– Mints
– Cough Drops
– Soft Drinks (Including Diet)
• Certain proteins, vegetables, desserts, and drinks are permitted during the 24 hour period before your appointment. Here are the permitted foods:
– Beef
– Turkey
– Pork (Including Bacon)
– Fish
– Chicken
– Eggs
– Veal
– Any Kind Of Seafood
– Broccoli
– Brussel Sprouts
– Asparagus
– Cauliflower
– Zucchini
– Spinach
– String Beans
– Lettuce
– Cheese
– Cottage Cheese
– Unsweetened Black Coffee
– Unsweetened Tea
– Water (No Artificial Sweeteners)
– Limit Milk Intake (1 or 2 Glasses)
• Avoid certain physician activity during the 24 hour period before your appointment, including:
– Jogging
– Cycling
– Weightlifting
– Strenuous housework
– Yard work
– Chewing gum
• On the day of your appointment, do not eat for 6 hours, including tube feedings and dextrose-containing IV fluids.
• Only plain water is permitted (12 ounces at most) 4 hours prior to your appointment.
• Prescribed medications should be taken as directed with water only.
• If you are diabetic, your appointment time should be either early in the morning or late in the afternoon
– If it is in the morning, do not eat after midnight, but you may drink up to 12 ounces of water 4 hours prior to your appointment time. If you are on an oral diabetic medication or insulin, do not take your morning dose.
– If it is in the afternoon, you can eat breakfast (following the dietary restrictions) 6 hours prior to your appointment and you may drink 12 ounces of water 4 hours prior to your appointment. You may take your regular morning dose of oral or insulin diabetic medication with your meal.

To prepare for your DaTscan, please follow these instructions below: 

• Please stop taking the following medications prior to your appointment:
– Ephedrine, ketamine, isoflurane – Stop 1 day prior to study
– Cocaine, methylphenidate – Stop 2 days prior to study
– Methamphetamine, mazindol, modafinil – Stop 3 days prior to study
– Benztropine, fentanyl – Stop 5 days prior to study
– Amphetamine, dexamphetamine – Stop 7 days prior to study
– Bupropion (Wellbutrin) – Stop 8 days prior to study
– Phentermine, Phencyclidine – Stop 14 days prior to study
• On the day of your appointment, please bring the following information with you:
– Bring your prescription, referral/authorization, insurance card, and a form of identification
– List of your current medications
– Drink 16 ounces of water 1 hour before
– Wear comfortable clothing

To prepare for your Gallium scan, please follow these instructions below:

• Before your appointment, please obtain 1 (10 ounce) bottle of Magnesium Citrate
• On the day before your appointment:
– Have a clear liquid breakfast. This meal may include: clear broth or bullion, clear or strained fruit juices such as grape or apple juice, clear jello or gelatin, coffee or tea, non-carbonated beverages, orange, raspberry, or lemon ice
– Have a clear liquid lunch, using the same guidelines above.
– 1:00 PM – Drink a full 8 ounce glass of water. Repeat this every 1 to 2 hours until bedtime.
– 4:00 PM – Drink the bottle of Magnesium Citrate – this can be chilled to make it easier to drink. Also, drink a full 8 ounce glass of water.
– Have a clear liquid dinner, using the same guidelines as breakfast and lunch

To prepare for your Gastric Emptying scan, please follow these instructions below: 

• Please stop taking the following medications 2 days prior to your appointment:
– Metoclopramide (Reglan)
– Tegaserod (Zelnorm)
– Erythromycin
– Domperidone (Motilium)
– Cispride (Propalisid)
– Rantindine (Zantac)
– Nizatidine (Axid)
– Neonstigime (Prostigmin)
– Opiates (I.e. Demerol, Codeine, Morphine, OxyContin, OxyCodone, Percodan, Percocet, Tylenol 3, and Tramadol)
– Antispasmodic Agents (I.e. Bentyl (Dicyclomine), Donnatal, Levsin, Robinul, Bacofen, or Zofran (Onvansetron))
– Atropine
– Nifedpine (Adalat, Procardia)
– Progesterone
– Octerotide (Sandostatin)
– Theophylline
– Benzodiazepine (Diazepam (Valium, Xanax))
– Phentolamine
• If you are diabetic, please bring your insulin with you to your appointment.

To prepare for your Renal Lasix scan, please follow these instructions below:  

• Avoid taking any diuretics on the day of your appointment
– Amiloride (Midamor)
– Bumetanide (Bumex)
– Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
– Chlorothiaside (Diuril)
– Furosemide (Lasix)
– HCTZ – Hydrochlorothiazide (Capozide, Esidrix, Hydrodiuril, Hyzaar)
– Indapamide (Lozol)
– Methyclothiazide (Enduron)
– Metolazone (Mykrox,Zaroxolyn)
– Spironolactone (Aldactone)
– Torsemide (Demadex)
– Triamterene (Dyazide,Maxzide)
• Drink 16 ounces of water 1 hour prior to your appointment.

To prepare for your Renal scan, please follow these instructions below:  

• Drink 16 ounces of water 1 hour prior to your appointment

To prepare for your Thyroid Uptake and Scan, please follow these instructions below:   

• Please do not eat or drink anything 1 hour prior to your appointment.
• The following medications will affect your study. Please consult with your physician before stopping any medication listed.
– Radiographic Contrast – 6 weeks prior
– Thyroid Hormone Snythroid (Levoxyl, Levothyroxine) – 6 weeks prior
– Amour Thyroid – 4 weeks prior
– Cytomel – 2 weeks prior
– PTU (Propylthiouracil) – 5 days 
– Tapazole (Methimazole) – 5 days
– Perchlorate – 5 days
– Topical Iodine Compounds – 4 weeks
– Lugol’s Solution – 4 weeks
– Potassium Iodide – 4 weeks
– Kelp – 4 weeks
– Anti-Parasitic Drugs (Iodochlorhydroquin) – 4 weeks
– Amiodarone Hydrochloride – 4 weeks
– Multivitamins (includes nutrition drinks or shakes) – 1 week
– Fish Oil (includes nutrition drinks or shakes) – 1 week
– Antihistamines – 1 week
– Cough & Cold Medications – 1 week
– Butazolidin – 1 week
– Acth & Corticosteroids – 1 week
– Sulfonamides – 1 week
– Seafood (Any Type) – 3 days

To prepare for your Coronary CTA, please follow these instructions below:

• For 12 hours before the exam, avoid drinking any caffeine (coffee, tea, or soda)
• For 3 hours before the exam, avoid drinking or eating.
• Please arrive 1 hour before your exam is scheduled.
• Depending on your heart rate, an oral beta block, Metoprolol, may be administered.